East TN schools welcome HABIT therapy dogs to help students (WBIR)

Posted Date: 12/18/2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Teachers in East Tennessee are getting special help from four-legged friends. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's HABIT program certifies dogs to help people in a variety of ways, including students. 

Shiloh works at Chilhowee Intermediate School in Knox County. Their school counselor, Rachel Stoutt, said bringing in HABIT dogs can provide an attendance incentive. 

"It's been all positive, really," Stoutt said. "Just seeing the kids light up. And then they want to read. They want to read to her, which is super powerful. Because some kids hate reading."

Leina is owned by Sarah Poston, a teacher who said her HABIT pup helps students in her special education classroom. 

"She knows her kiddos because this is her family," Poston said. "Dogs don't care what kind of clothes you're wearing. Dogs don't care about the grade that you made on the test. Dogs know love. And that's what they bring wholeheartedly to every single student."

Leina also helps around all classrooms in Fairview Elementary in Knox County. Students can read to her, or pet her for a "brain break." Anderson County Schools said the program has been so successful at Fairview, that they hope to expand it to other schools.