Golden retriever Annie brightens days
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Sixth-grade student Otto Harden helps take care of golden retriever Annie, who spends much of her time at Clinton Middle School. Harden is one of many students at the school who love to spend time with Annie, a therapy dog. - Ben Pounds
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Annie visits the Clinton Middle School Literary Analysis classroom window of Kathy Lauer, at right, who is retiring this year. On the left is Annie ambassador Makinzie Brewer and in the center is student Joseph Haynes. - Ben Pounds
As Annie, a 110-pound golden retriever, walked through the halls of Clinton Middle School, students and staff greeted her with smiles, kind words and petting.
Jennifer Huckaby, Annie’s owner and the school’s guidance counselor, led her on a leash while Annie’s ambassador and caretaker, sixth-grade student Otto Harden, joined them.
Usually, Annie stays in Huckaby’s counseling room or in the shared lounge-style Behavior Break Room, where teachers enjoy spending time with her.
But on this day, it was time for Annie’s photo shoot, even though she is already a star at CMS.
Annie serves as a therapy dog for CMS, and Huckaby said she helps break the ice with students.
“For our students who are too upset to talk, Annie has been their quiet support and their gentle listener,” Huckaby said.
She said Annie also offers students moral support and companionship when they feel sad, alone or insecure.
“It’s often really magical,” Huckaby said regarding Annie’s ability to make tense situations feel casual. “It almost makes them feel like they’re on the front porch or in the living room.”
Staff members ranging from teachers to school resource officers also seek Annie’s presence.
“Often the staff asks me more often than the students do,” Huckaby said.
Huckaby said Annie showed a talent for comforting people even before coming to CMS a few days each week.
“She tends to naturally seek out people who need support or reassurance, so I just thought she’d be a good candidate for this program,” Huckaby said.
Before beginning her work at the school, Annie completed training through two organizations.
First, she passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test, which evaluated skills such as accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose leash, walking through a crowd, staying on cue, coming when called, and reacting appropriately to distractions and supervised separation.
Huckaby said Annie earned high marks in all categories.
After that, Annie completed testing through the University of Tennessee’s Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee program, known as H.A.B.I.T., demonstrating her ability to behave in different environments and remain calm.
Students who passed Annie in the hallway were quick to praise her.
“I’ve been to your office so many times this is my child now,” one student said.
“She makes me happy, especially on a really bad day,” another student said.
Annie has also visited Anderson County High School to help students learn about careers in pet care.
Beyond her work as a therapy dog, Annie also inspires students to support charitable causes and take on projects to help animals, culinary arts teacher Candus Claiborne said.
“The kids care so much about her that they want to help other dogs out,” Claiborne said.
She added that her class made dog treats for the charitable Paws for a Cause Pet Expo fundraiser benefiting the Animal Rescue Foundation.
“It really fosters compassion and thinking outside of themselves,” she said.
