Dogs in the Classroom: Madison STEAM Academy
Calling all students and educators who love dogs!
Imagine reading to a puppy in the school library! Doesn’t that sound like the ideal educational environment? Well, at Madison STEAM Academy you can! Meet June Bug, the library’s young yellow lab.
Not only does Madison STEAM Academy in South Bend, Indiana have a puppy for their library, but there are dogs involved in almost every aspect of their school.
“Thinking creatively, solving problems, and enjoying learning is a great recipe for helping students ignite their passion for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics,” states the Madison STEAM Academy brochure.
Now, that’s a philosophy we agree with here at The Lette Lou’s Academy!
Get to Know the Dogs of Madison STEAM Academy
Lette Lou and I (her mother) were recently made aware the dogs of Madison STEAM are Lette Lou’s dog treat fans. The hard working teachers of Madison Academy took time to send us information about the dogs. We’ve fallen in love with these pups and want to introduce all the dogs to our Lette Lou’s family.
First up, is Ellie Mae.
She is the dog for second grade at Madison. Classroom teachers are allowed to check her out to come visit them as a reward for their class. Principal Deb Martin explains…
“Our Madison dogs bring support to our students and staff that no person could bring. They listen when a child wants to talk to someone, but not to an adult. The dogs love being read to, and they can’t tell if the student reading to them is a struggling reader. They calm us when we are upset or frustrated, and make us laugh when they are goofy. They teach our students responsibility, loyalty, compassion and empathy. Our Madison dogs are a huge part of our school’s culture, and our students’ and staffs’ lives.”
Hercules! Hercules! Hercules!
Hercules Mulligan works with the fourth graders. He is a five-year-old bulldog mix. He was adopted from a shelter in 2017 to be a service dog. Hercules is a great addition to the classroom. Students arrive excited to greet the cuddly, goofball every morning. Hercules makes rounds around the classroom throughout the day and gives the students a good excuse to take a break, when he needs them to rub the fur on his neck.
Students with anxiety benefit from sitting with Herc on the floor, or taking him on small walks around the building.
At recess, students love running with Hercules and having him do tricks for little biscuits!
Other classrooms get to borrow Hercules the big therapy dog too. One first grade class gets him at the end of every day to wind down and cuddle with before going home.
Champ and Pixie
Champ and Pixie work and reside with the school’s social worker. Champ is a yellow lab and beagle mix and Pixie is a chocolate lab mix. They are both 15 months old. Champ and Pixie are a great distraction for kids who need to come talk or cool down in the Cubs Den. The students can play fetch with the pups in the room, read to them, or just sit and pet them while they cool off. Champ LOVES belly rubs from the students and the students get a kick out of how high Pixie jumps for a treat or toy!
Meet Harper
Harper has been a member of The Madison STEAM Academy since October 2018. She spends hours listening to students read and loves to play outside with the children. She has an important job relieving children of tense situations in the classroom. Harper enjoys laying around while the kids sit and pet her.
While students work and listen to lessons she lays around the room keeping them company. She is a key part of the classroom and on days that she is not at school, she is still talked about and missed.
As a rescue who was left alone quite a bit in her previous home, Harper, herself, benefits from being able to come to school as she has separation anxiety.
Maggie (aka Magnolia)
Finally, meet Maggie (love her name!). Her full name is Magnolia. Maggie is a standard poodle and provides a calming effect in her first grade classroom.
She always seems to find the students that seem to need the most love and will lay by them throughout the day. She stays with them while they are completing work to offer quiet support.
At dismissal, students work together to teach Maggie new tricks. The students are so proud of what they are teaching Maggie.
We hope you enjoyed the Madison STEAM Dogs as much as we have! Lette Lou and I are simply amazed where this project has taken us and we are so excited about our next adventure. Check back soon!
Lette Lou Typed Her Independent Contribution (Age 7):
June Bug is soooo tiny. She can fit in your arm. you have to go and visit her some time. She would be a good member for the Lette Lou’s academy. We love her and care for her and I think you should too. June Bug is my favorite. She loves our treats. And you will too. they are shaped like hearts. Dogs love them. Every one with a dog should get them. If you do your dog will be really happy. So get them. hurry. we have a website.so go to it.
