Yorkshire terrier welcomed into JH preschool
Anyone walking into Kay Smith’s early childhood special education class at Jackson Heights Elementary School for the first time might be greeted by a growl from one member of the class — at least until that member sniffs the new person out, much to the delight of everyone else in the class.
That member of Smith’s class is Bella, a one-year-old Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, who’s been part of the class “since she was just a baby,” Smith said. Bella has been a member of the class since November of last year, she added, and the children in her class have taken a real shine to her.
“We had some children with autism and some with behavior problems,” Smith said. “Bella’s been helping to teach them responsibility, and also to have that connection with an animal, petting her softly instead of getting all wound up.”
Smith had looked into getting a pet that would help kids to let go their fears about school — and even their fears about dogs. The Yorkie, she said, provided her with a perfect opportunity.
“At this age, big dogs are very scary to kids,” she said. “We had one student who was very apprehensive around dogs at first, but her parents are so excited that Bella’s teaching her to calm down.”
Even though Bella has that “calming effect” on younger children, Smith said she’s not quite a “therapy pup,” but more of a “lap dog.” Having the kids in class has also helped Bella get into a daily routine with them, she added.
“When they all come in in the morning, she sniffs every single one of them, and then she goes off and does her thing,” Smith said. “She knows the routine. She knows when they’re going to go to the library, and when they tell her to stay, she’ll stay. And when they’re gone, her favorite place is in the sunshine.”
The kids also love being around Bella, who has been “kennel trained,” Smith said. Students in her class said they love to take her outside, feed her dog treats — no “people food,” they said — and read to her, and they always ask, “May I pet you, Bella?” before approaching her. And at the end of the day, the kids have a “goodbye song” they sing to Bella before they board the buses to go home.
Smith said Bella’s food and bed are located in her “safe spot,” right near the teacher’s desk, where kids know they are not allowed to go. And when the school day is over and the kids have gone home, Bella goes home with Smith, although it’s become clear that the Yorkie prefers to be in school with the kids.
“On the weekends, she seems like she’s lost because she doesn’t have the kids with her,” Smith said. “But as soon as we get out of the car at school, she knows exactly where to go, and she goes to the door by herself. She comes down and gets in the classroom.”
Bella’s appeal isn’t limited to Smith’s preschool students. Older students in kindergarten through third grades also come to Smith’s classroom and read to Bella as well.
“She acts as a motivator, and the older kids have their responsibilities with her,” Smith said. “It’s a reward to them.”
