Poland students don’t mind teacher’s pet project

K9 Therapy Poland North Elementary

Video

By Denise Dick

POLAND — A.J. is the newest student at Poland North Elementary School, and he’s a big hit with his classmates in Andrea Speece’s class.

He’s quiet, calm, friendly and — other than lying on the floor and having to be taken outdoors for potty breaks — a model student.

A.J. is Speece’s 6-month-old dog, and she brings him to school each Thursday as dog and master work toward his certification as a therapy dog.

“He visits with the kids and they pet him, and we’re working on them reading to him,” said Speece, whose class includes students with some special needs.

One of the classes she’s taking for her master’s degree touched on the benefits for children in working with animals.

“I like him,” said Bobby Cole, 6, who’s in kindergarten, as he played with the dog, encouraging him to fetch a rubber toy. “We take him outside to go potty and see him do tricks.”

A.J.’s repertoire of tricks includes sit and lie down.

“Best I know, he’s a lab-Australian shepherd mix,” the teacher said.

She adopted A.J. in December from Angels for Animals.

He’s named for A.J. Hawk, the former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker.

“I’m a big Ohio State fan,” Speece said.

The teacher decided to pursue therapy dog certification after observing her pet’s laid-back personality and learning about how children benefit from interaction with pets.

Therapy dogs visit hospital patients, children and nursing home residents. Speece hopes to continue to use her pet in her classroom. She and A.J. are taking classes through K-9s for Compassion, based in Hubbard.

“She came to me and asked what I thought about it, and I said that it sounded like a great idea,” said Principal Michael Masucci.

The 50-pound white, gray and tan pup with black ticking and pale brown eyes spends much of class time lying on the floor, enjoying a back scratch or head pat as the children pass by. He keeps close watch over the young students, perking his ears upon hearing an unfamiliar sound or sitting up when a stranger draws close.

First-graders Eric Quimby and Charley Kish, both 7, sat at a table with Speece working on reading and letters.

“Look, A.J.,” Eric said, holding up his book to show his four-legged classmate the picture. “He’s a nice dog.”

Charley agreed.

“I play with him,” he said.

Second-grader Kayla Bush, 8, took a break from her studies to kneel and pet and play with the dog.

“I like petting him,” Kayla said, stroking A.J.’s head.

A.J. moves in for a sniff.

“Kiss me on the cheek, A.J.,” she said. “I dare you to kiss me.”

denise_dick@vindy.com