Volume 04, Number 13
Kids
Pets at School
GKA students bring their pets to class.
by Danielle Tate-Stratton
Weekender recently visited Global Kids Academy in Moto Azabu to meet the school's mascot, Connie, and find out about some of the student's pets, both real and created.
Connie is a bilingual six-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever, who loves being with the children and going for walks in Arisugawa Park with owner Michael, 13. She knows how to sit up and beg, shake hands, dances the mambo, and lets animal-loving children play with her when they come to Global Kids Academy.
Kitty, 9, lounges with her two dogs—Marine, a three-year-old Weimaraner, and Ku-chan, an eleven-year-old Miniature Pinscher.
Takaaki, 9, speaks about his created pet: "This is my pet. My pet's name is Sraim. It is a dragon. It looks like this with short legs. I like my pet because he is strong."
Riku, 6, talks about his creation: "This is my pet. My pet's name is Fluffy. It is a bunny. It looks like this with little ears and a small body. I like my pet because it is cute."
Haruhi, 10, explains her pet: "This is my pet. My pet's name is Baludo. It is a dog. I like my pet because it is cute and so kind and friendly."
Dog Tails at K. International School
by Mary Christie
Snowy is a school-based therapy dog at K. International School, Tokyo (KIST).
Over the years, Snowy has helped the children at KIST to learn how to care for dogs and also to reduce a fear of bigger dogs like Snowy— she's a Labrador—which are rarely seen in Japan. After familiarizing themselves with Snowy inside the school gates, the children have demonstrated a feeling of familiarity and comfort with other dogs in the local community.
Last week, the K1 children invited Snowy into their classroom as part of their "learning about how to care for living things" project. They fed Snowy, walked her outside the school, gave her water to drink, and played with her in the playground. Recently, Mrs. Green—the librarian who works closely with Snowy, made a special patchwork quilt from the drawings that the K2 class made of their four-legged friend when she was visiting their classroom.
"We use Snowy because she has the characteristics and temperament needed to work in a school setting. This means a high tolerance to noise and distractions, young children crowding around and touching her, and sudden changes in routines and environment." Commented Vice Prinicipal of KIST, Mary Christie.
We humans identify Labradors as rescuers, helpers, and companions. Luckily for us, Labradors have been domesticated with humans over a long enough period of time that they accept us as part of their ‘pack'. Snowy the Labrador is not a passive dog, which means that when she interacts with humans she has body language that lets students know and understand that she is welcoming and happy to be with them.
Snowy comes from Tasmania in Australia and it is believed that she was the first school-based therapy dog to participate in a formalized program. Formalized means that a policy and protocol was developed with community consultation including an assessment by a trainer from the Royal Guide Dogs Association.
Snowy has worked in alternate school settings and two other high schools in Australia. She celebrated her 14th birthday this June and has a boyfriend who she meets regularly in Shirakawa Park. His name is Michael and he is a Japanese born Black Labrador. Unfortunately, Michael is on a diet at the moment.