Under a sweltering summer heat, a litter of puppies were discovered in a crate between two trashcans forever forgotten.
Fortunately, these pups were saved when they were rescued by Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, a local non-profit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abused and abandoned dogs and puppies in the Memphis, Tenn., area.
Among them was a black and white puppy with a sweet disposition who would later be named Simone, after Olympic gold medalist and gymnast, Simone Biles. Her two littermates, were also named after athletes, Phelps and Kobe.
Fate would have it, around the same time Simone was found, Dr. Sally Parish, vice provost and director of schools for University Schools at the University of Memphis, was in search of a dog for University Middle as part of a pilot therapy dog program.
Parish immediately reached out to Tails of Hope with whom she previously adopted her own dog from to see if they had any rescues who would be a good fit. Simone interviewed at University Middle a few days later, instantly capturing the hearts of students and staff.
Today Simone has a new “leash” on life as a therapy dog at University Middle. Her triumphant story also has been featured in People, the Washington Post and WeRateDogs.
“She was so sweet, and the kids loved her so much. I think she was here for probably five minutes when we became convinced that this is what we wanted for our school,” Kerrith Griffin, executive director of University Middle, said.
The program is made possible and funded through the Tennessee Department of Education’s Beyond Ordinary Learning Opportunities Grant, which launched July 2024.
University Middle was one of five schools in the state awarded the grant to develop and implement a therapy dog pilot program during the 2024-25 school year. West Tennessee K9 assists University Middle staff with therapy dog training.
“This grant aligns with our district mission in many ways. As the state’s first Innovative School District, a core part of our work is to try new and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and student success and to share those findings and practices with other schools and other districts,” Parish said. “In that way, what is learned here truly leaves here and can have a broader impact on education beyond our school walls. Historically that has been demonstrated through innovative instructional models — but in this case, we are one of the first schools in the region to launch a therapy dog program.”
“Simone’s impact has surpassed anything we could have ever imagined.”
– Sally Parish
Among Griffin’s favorite stories about Simone’s impact on students is one that involved a student who wanted to go home.
The student was reluctant to share the reason why they wanted to go home in the first place, so Griffin decided to bring Simone so that they could all go on a walk together.
After the walk, Griffin said she would call their mom so that they could go home for the day. Shortly after the interaction, the student decided all was well and they wanted to stay in school and go back to class afterwards.
“I was so excited that without effort and just by being herself, Simone was helping the student process their emotions and just feel better,” Griffin said.
Simone’s schedule includes going around classrooms to interact with students to calm them during lessons and to reduce anxiety before quizzes and exams. She can be seen roaming in the halls, and her favorites are reading time in “her chair” in Mrs. Jeanine Akers’ class and art time with Mrs. Robin Webb.
Students, staff and parents have welcomed Simone with open arms. “She has been such a gift to the entire University Schools’ community, and it’s exciting to consider that we get to watch her grow alongside our students in the years to come,” Kelsey Ryan, director of Student and Family Engagement, said.
Students, staff and parents have welcomed Simone with open arms. Staff get feedback from parents daily that their children are excited to attend school each day just so they can see and play with Simone.
“Simone’s impact has surpassed anything we could have ever imagined,” Parish said. “I have seen firsthand the joy that she brings to our students, faculty and families alike. Students’ faces light up when they see her, and she immediately brings joy into any room she enters. As educators, we have no idea what our students have experienced at home before they get to school each day, or what they will go home to at the end of the day. And for some of our students, Simone is a reason to get up and come to school. She is an outlet for some of our students to channel their care and compassion, when perhaps they don’t have that outlet at home. And for some of our students, she is a friend to turn to when they just need a reason to smile.”
University Middle continues to partner with Tails of Hope bringing them to campus to educate students about animal advocacy and rescue.
Follow Simone’s adventures on her Instagram: @simone_the_therapydog.
