Who would guess that at 2:05 p.m on March 11, little soft puppies were running around in room 216? As some students studied science or finished math homework, others were just down the hall laughing as puppies tried to escape the classroom, or cooing as puppies chewed on toys under desk chairs.
In mid-February, school counselor Ms. Jennifer Salvage emailed students about the opportunity to see puppies during fifth block. The first 60 students that emailed back were given a pass to come play with the puppies for 20 minutes. Students that responded but were too late to be put on the list for this puppy visit, were put at the top of the list for the next one.
The puppy visit format has changed over time in order to prioritize safety and enjoyment for the puppies and Haven students.
“When we first started, we did this during the lunch period, and then with changes in administration and different principles, it has shifted a little bit,” Salvage said. “We were originally meeting during the lunches, and then we shifted to a fifth block format.”
Salvage is willing to host the puppies as often as To Love a Canine Rescue is willing and able to come. This year, the puppies will be coming to Haven a total of four times, with this being the second visit.
“So this [To Love a Canine Rescue] was a name that was passed to me by a colleague, and that they do these school visits. And it’s a win-win, because it’s socializing the puppies that are also all up for adoption,” Salvage said.
For students at Haven, this experience can serve as a quick but valuable mental health break. At the same time, the puppies get to explore in a positive environment which is beneficial for them.
“The puppies get socialized because they get pets, and it’s a new place, and it’s positive, and they have a good time at these visits, so it’s a good socialization for them, too,” executive director of To Love a Canine Rescue Ms. Tracy Long said.
Long notices that the puppy visits are valuable for students, too.
“It’s a stress reliever, and it also helps drop social barriers,” she said. “Shy kids will talk to other kids. Kids who may never have spoken to each other in any aspect will talk to each other because [you’re] taking selfies [or] just petting cute puppies,” Long said.
Junior Emmanuel Barrett had not been at one of the puppy visits yet, and was unsure of what to expect. He was surprised at how casual and easy the puppy visit was, and enjoyed watching the different breeds of puppies roam around the room.
“It’s just a nice and unique experience and it’s so different from most of the other activities that you’d see at this school. I think just the uniqueness alone should allow it to continue,” Barrett said.
Sophomore Holly Cari has been at many puppy visits already, and recognizes the happiness that comes with each visit.
“They’re so fun and cute, and it’s just something to look forward to after school,” Cari said.
If you didn’t get a chance to see the puppies this time, be on the lookout for future emails from Salvage. Until then, you may never realize that a cuddle from a small puppy was just what you needed to brighten your day.
“I enjoy the visits as much as you guys [Haven students] do…We hear all the time ‘this the best day ever’ and ‘I needed this today.’ As far as the stress goes, puppies are very healing, so we enjoy bringing them to this room,” Long said.
