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.

“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.”

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.

“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.