Monthly Archives: December 2013

Bryant Elementary Classroom Visit

This was the last Puppy Dog Tales day before the winter break, and we are going to be assigned to a different class starting in January. So, instead of doing reading, Jacee visited the entire first grade class. There were about 20 students, 8 of which had already met Jacee in previous reading sessions. We got to meet the teacher for the first time. Everyone loved Jacee and got to pet her multiple times.

California Pacific Medical Center Pediatrics

This was Jacee’s second visit to this facility.

During her previous visit last September, all of the patients were very young. Jacee was too small for the patients to reach her when she was standing on the floor. The patients all had IV’s and other equipment attached, so I was nervous about Jacee getting into bed with them. I asked to her to put her front paws up on their beds to be petted. This position is very tiring for her and she could only maintain it for a few seconds.

I only volunteered to go back for a second visit because the staff and Jacee got along so well.

This visit was very different. We saw 6 patients. Two were infants; the remaining were young teens. One was well enough to sit on the floor of the hospital room to play with Jacee, and I let Jacee jump up on the beds of the the others for a snuggle. Jacee is a great snuggler, and both she and the kids looked very happy. It was very emotional to observe Jacee and the kids bonding.

We spent about 20 minutes with the last child. The nurse in that area is a breeder-caretaker for Guide Dogs for the Blind, so we had a lot to talk about, while Jacee and her patient had a nice cuddle.

SF University High School

Today a group of SF SPCA Therapy dogs visited SF University HIgh School. This was a surprise visit arranged by the Dean to help de-stress the students during exams. The weather was nice, so we were outside in the school’s courtyard during lunch break. About 100 students came to love the dogs.

Jacee was joined by Rufus, a Poodle/Terrier mix, Denver. a Golden Doodle, Kerry, an English Setter, and Oliver, a Golden Retriever. All the kids and dogs got along great. The dogs all had their eyes on the food being served to students, so unfortunately they had so stay on leash. Jacee and Oliver really hit it off well; Jacee is hoping he will call her for a date sometime.

The students really appreciated the event. We’ll gladly go back if the school decides to do it again.

SF Public Montessori School

We visited the pre-school and kindergarten classes. All the kids now know to ask permission, and to let a dog sniff their hand, before petting. Unfortunately, Jacee still uses the hand-sniff as an excuse to lick.

We were happy to hear that we have a regular visit to this school every month, from January through May. It’s the closest of all SF SPCA facilities to our house (6 blocks) so we can walk, weather permitting.