Black Labrador's visit helps teach pupils about caring, compassion

Learning the six pillars of character is pupils' nonacademic goal.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Woody cares. Just look into those soulful brown eyes, and you can see it.
He doesn't even know you, but he's glad to visit with you. He catches sight of you, a total stranger, and trots right up for a head-pat. He's unconditionally glad you're there.
Woody's a pillar of character -- one of six.
There's trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. At Austintown and Frank Ohl middle schools, teaching the pillars is a nonacademic goal. And the pillars will be architecturally incorporated into the new middle school on Raccoon Road, said Lisa Marucci, the district's public relations coordinator. Each named pillar will stand in the foyer.
As Woody strolled around the auditorium at Austintown Middle School Tuesday morning, dragging his bright purple leash behind him and visiting everybody he could reach, one could easily see which of the six pillars he represents.
Positive traits
Some of the sixth-graders gathered in the room to meet him could see traces of the other character traits, too.
"He's responsible," said Jesse Sellars, noting the dog's impeccable manners.
Patrick Williams could sense trustworthiness. "He's nice. He doesn't bark at people."
But Andrew Dune pointed out the main reason Woody is so special.
"He's kind. He makes people happy just by being there."
Woody, a 7-year-old black Labrador retriever, is the pillar of caring that the school wanted its pupils to meet. He's sweet-natured and friendly, typical of his breed. But this dog is extra-special, said his owner, Mimi Pinchot of Hubbard.
"He likes to hunt and swim and do all the things dogs do," she said. "But he's special. He loves being with people. He loves being needed."
K-9s for Compassion
Woody and Pinchot are a team with K-9s for Compassion, an all-volunteer organization made up of people and their pets who visit hospitals and nursing homes. The organization was founded five years ago by Katie Costello of Hubbard and includes 31 dogs, two birds, a rabbit and four cats.
"We joined this organization to bring a smile to some people who don't get too many visitors," Pinchot said. "We've been doing it for about three years."
Even though Woody is a natural for his line of work, he still had to go through training, Pinchot said.
He had to pass a test with 19 categories, she said.
"I have to know he'll do what I ask him to do when I ask him," she said.
Woody has to be clean, with trimmed toenails and brushed teeth. He has his own toothbrush and chicken-flavored toothpaste.
Pinchot said she always asks if a patient would like a visit from Woody before they enter a room.
"If they say 'yes,' it brings cheer to them and is a break in their day," she said.
Chris Berni, assistant principal, told the pupils gathered in the auditorium that he hoped they learned something about compassion by meeting Woody.
"You can impact the lives of people, just like Woody does," Berni said.
"He's man's best friend," Patrick said.
"He's neat, too," Jesse said.