Ross High School English teacher Kirsten Main has a special teaching experience every other Thursday when she brings her Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Ember to act as the school’s resident therapy dog.

For Ember to be allowed to come to school, she had to pass a test with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). Also, Ember was required to participate in a six-week class where she was exposed to various situations, such as wheelchairs and walkers while also practicing leaving food on the floor.

The decision for Ember to come to school was not planned. Mrs. Main explained how “last spring, Mrs. Butz and the counselors had talked about wanting a resident therapy dog at the school… Ideally, they wanted her there all the time, but that doesn’t work out, so they wanted somebody who worked in the building to have a dog that could come in as a therapy dog and I was like, well, my dog could do that.” This led to Ember coming into school every other Thursday.

A day at school with Ember starts early for Mrs. Main. They arrive at school earlier to go to the restroom before students arrive, and she takes her out again during her third block plan. Ember gets to see Mrs. Main’s classes throughout the day.

Mrs. Main is trying to make it more accessible for other students to meet Ember. Every other Thursday, Ember will visit Rambells if they sign up on the spreadsheet Mrs. Main sent out.
In the future, Ember might start coming to the high school more regularly. The students love to see their furry friend in the hallways.