Homeroom for Hounds

“We are the luckiest class in the world to adopt a dog like you! There can never be a dog as special as you! I hope you find a forever home. A person in my class just said he might adopt you. I really hope he does.” This is just a sample of the abundance of letters received from elementary schools throughout Forsyth County, as classes take part in The Humane Society of Forsyth County’s new endeavor “Homerooms for Hounds.”

The goal of “Homerooms for Hounds” is to educate elementary aged school children in pet adoption and to raise money/supplies for the Humane Society of Forsyth County through donations from local classrooms. Beyond supporting the humane society, the program aims to allow teachers to utilize this partnership to develop creative writing assignments, integrate pet adoption into their class work and implement service and learning into their classroom.

Each class participating in the program was assigned a hound for their homeroom to adopt, receiving pictures, information on their sponsored dog, as well as, weekly updates from the newest addition to their classroom. Due to several animals at the humane society currently not quite ready for their forever home, due to medical conditions and other occurrences, students are able to bring in toys, bedding, food and other needs to support our animals as they prepare for the loving families that await them. In addition, students are encouraged to write letters to their dog as a creative outlet, including stories, poems, and persuasive essays.

Successful, is probably an understatement when speaking of this new program and endeavor for the Humane Society of Forsyth County. Students and their families have been more than generous bringing needed supplies to support their hound, supplying leashes for walks, treats, food, water bowls, and soft comfy beds for our loving dogs to lay their heads at night or even for a cat nap. (the dogs probably wouldn’t enjoy that reference).  Probably the most enjoyable part of this program is seeing the student’s enthusiasm, to not only take part in community service and philanthropy, but the program’s ability to foster interest in creative writing,

persuasive essays and letters.  Julie Lander’s 3^rd grade class from Chattahoochee Elementary School adopted Charlotte, inspiring her students to write a persuasive writing piece encouraging the local community to volunteer or donate to the humane society. One of the most inspiring responses has been from Jacqueline Greene, her Pre-K special needs classroom, while unable to write letters, has aimed to create videos to send via email to support their hound. Mailboxes have been flooded with responses from students, below is AJ’s letter to his adopted hound California:

Dear California,

“It’s only the first day, and you all ready have tons of toys, change and treats! By the end of the week, your bin will be full of toys! You already have two squeaky toys, so both you and Roscoe can play…Have fun at Forsyth County Humane Society, but don’t get too comfy…you could be adopted in no time!

Your not so furry friend,

AJ

The Homeroom for Hounds programs bring dogs, teachers, schools, and the humane society together to not only support the animals we care for, but to support students in their lives, promoting community service, philanthropy, and creative writing. This is only the beginning of a wonderful program; look forward to several more updates on the program and the success it brings to the humane society and the local schools of Forsyth County.