Pets are the support we need
When we care for a pet, we are practicing social emotional learning in the following ways:
- self-awareness | recognizing our thoughts and feelings towards the pet and around the pet
- self-management | Pets tend to help calm people down, by simply petting and holding them – healthy stress management practice
- social awareness |attending to the pet’s needs
- healthy relationship skills | experiencing joy and security with a companion
To learn more about the district’s social emotional learning program, visit www.dallasisd.org/sel.
Don’t let the age fool ya! Chloe—82 in dog years—is a diva and has energy like a new puppy. She loves getting her hair and nails done and enjoys family time. She has a personality like none other. Chloe has overcome two surgeries and multiple health diagnoses, but through it all, she’s kept a positive and prissy attitude. Chloe is spoiled, sassy, smart and truly special to her family!
ChrisSharrah Yancy, Professional Standards
My name is Rebel, and I am a 9-year-old blue pit bull. People give dogs like me a bad rep, but I am great with young children—not so much with cats.
Xavier Almaguer, School for Talented and Gifted
Tinkerbell is my 12-year-old Chihuahua that I adopted after she was abandoned at a rental house about 8 years ago. Cali is a feral cat that showed up on my back porch a few months ago, she is a preteen in cat age. When they are not relaxing Cali likes to terrorize Tinkerbell, although I think Tinkerbell secretly likes the attention.
Tracey Amicucci, Accounts Payable
Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Mogli, Master of Mischief. He is a 9-year-old, 20-pound, male Bengal. He enjoys talking while his mother is on the phone or Zoom meetings. His favorite past times are tearing apart cardboard boxes, scratching up leather furniture and leaping into freshly cleaned linens and clothes. He has earned his title of Master of Mischief but, at the same time, he is super intelligent and the sweetest most loving creature.
Marisa Negron, Jill Stone ES
Meet Lorenzo “Zo,” a 7.5 years old, French bulldog, my best friend, and my number one cuddle companion. Having one eye doesn’t get him down. He is the cutest little guy around! His hobbies include sleeping 20 hours of the day, eating, sunbathing and taking short walks.
Kendall Nettle, Benjamin Franklin MS
This is Abby. I believe she’s 14 but feel she missed that message since she loves to leap off the sofa with glee, do wind sprints at 2 a.m., and demands scratches whenever eye contact is made. She was adopted from the Dallas Animal shelter. She lives with her adopted sister dog Adele who was adopted from the same shelter a year earlier.
Michella Chappell, Frank Guzick ES
This is my 11-year-old dog, Sweeney. I adopted her through Paws in the City over 10 years ago. She likes going for rides and chasing cats and squirrels. We watch her favorite TV show, Lucky Dog, on Saturday mornings, and she really likes belly rubs. She is always glad to see me when I get home from school.
William Adkins, Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at A. Maceo Smith
Wolfie is an 11-year-old cinnamon husky. Wolfie is known as “The Inspector” because he inspects anything coming into or going out of the house. He likes his sweet potato treats and bones. In my opinion, Wolfie is the best pet companion a Dallas ISD employee could ever ask for.
Dora Vasquez, Professional Standards Office
Mako is a 3-year-old goldendoodle who loves supporting the Benjamin Franklin Falcons.
Christian Anderson, Benjamin Franklin MS
Meet Rocco (left) and Kodi (right). Rocco is a 4-year-old shar-pei/lab mix. He is very vocal when he wants something. Kodi is a 1.5-year-old red/blue pitbull. He is a very sweet, gentle and protective boy. Both are momma’s boys. They are very spoiled by momma and daddy, and since we don’t have any children, we love our boys.
Esperanza E. Garcia, Arcadia Park ES
Olivia Marie is 8 months (top right) loves to boss everyone around and playing with Oliver. She is a daddy’s girl for sure. Alice Victoria is 13 years old (top right) and only tolerates everyone. She sometimes likes to be with her people, but she mostly just lies in one spot all day long. Edward Jacob is 12 years old (bottom left) and still young at heart. She likes to play with toys by himself and is a mama’s boy never far from her side. Oliver Dawson is 1.5 years old (bottom right) and the politest, sweetest cat ever. He loves to play and get petted.
Sloane Becker, Woodrow Wilson HS
This is Cody Arispe, he is 12 years old and his all-time favorite game to play is fetch. He is incredibly smart, and I feel blessed to have him in my life. He is an only child and the only family I have here in Dallas. I’m thankful for his company and love him with all my heart.
Veronica Arispe, Lorenzo de Zavala ES
Lexie, 9 months old, came to me during quarantine. She is full of energy, loves to cuddle, loves attention, cuddles with me while I drink my coffee before I head out to work, and, most importantly, has helped my mental health during such difficult times.
Alondra Luna, Hector Garcia MS
This is Hodor, a 2-year-old bundle of love and slobber. He’s a bit of an old soul except when playing with his favorite ball. We joke about him being an emotional support pup because don’t you just feel better after seeing him?
Johnetta Taylor, Thomas Jefferson HS
Bacardi D. Dogg, 8, loves chasing the backyard squirrels, a good game of fetch, and all the treats. She even uses a special button that says “treat” when she wants one. Bacardi is also a certified Canine Good Citizen, recognized by the American Kennel Club. She is a smart and polite pup who charms everyone she meets.
Thérèse Roque, Speech-Language Pathologist Coach
Her name is Lola Joaquina, she is 14 years old, loves apples and watermelon and she means the world to her fur mom, who is a prekindergarten teacher.
Rosanna Ambriz, Nancy Moseley ES
This is the Puddin, aka the Puddinator, who, as you can see, is a fearsome a beast. She adores pig snout and is always ready for an adventure with me. She will be 7 years old at Christmas and is half Shih Tzu and half Jack Russell. She is my best friend and furry child. She loves to play with her toys, eat sauerkraut and watermelon, go for walks, and chase squirrels (which she can’t catch), as well as snuggle. She gives great hugs and kisses, too.
Connie Sue White, Sunset HS
Tom Cat is 16 years old and loves to sleep in a sunny spot inside. He’ll watch the squirrels enter his yard but can’t be bothered to chase them. He will let you know when he wants you to pet him and will definitely let you know when it is time to feed him.
Mayra Kitchens, Substitute
