News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County High School and Middle School will soon have dogs roaming the hallways.
The board of education has approved a request from Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger to place therapy dogs inside the schools.
Dronebarger said he got the idea after seeing a therapy dog program at the Dyersburg City School System.
“We went to Dyersburg and witnessed their program and it was really excellent,” Dronebarger said. “We now have the opportunity to purchase some dogs at a small fee. I think we can be all said and done for about $2,500.”
Dronebarger said Dyersburg City School will train and deliver the dogs to White County.
“These dogs will stay in the library throughout the day and they can be taken to other places,” Dronebarger said. “I’ve already got adoptive homes lined up that will take them home at night and during the weekends.”
Hypoallergenic breeds will be chosen to avoid any medical issues for students. Dronebarger said Labradoodles and Goldendoodles will likely be the chosen breeds.
“They are very well trained and have to be certified before we put them in schools,” Dronebarger said. “I’ve seen it in action and it’s pretty impressive to see see the way the students and animals interact with each other.”
Dyersburg will begin training the dogs for White County in the coming months.
