New Facility Dog Fern Brings Joy and Comfort to Heritage Elementary School

MADISON – A New Furry Friend Joins Heritage Elementary School

The excitement at Heritage Elementary School is palpable as students and staff welcome a very special new member to their family—a four-legged friend named Fern! This lovely facility dog made her debut on October 21, and the school couldn’t be more thrilled.

The Journey to Fern’s Arrival

Getting Fern to the school was no small feat. Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson shared that the grant and application process took well over two years. But all that hard work has finally paid off! “We’re thrilled,” Dr. Nelson said. “We’re excited to see the impact she will make.” And, if the initial buzz is any indication, Fern is already making a wonderful impression.

Meet Fern: A Standard in Facility Dogs

Fern is a three-year-old black Labrador Retriever, weighing in at around 65 pounds and standing about 32 inches tall. She has been living with Service Dogs of Alabama, a specialized training program that prepares dogs for school environments. In fact, she’s the third facility dog in Madison City Schools, following Daryl from Midtown Elementary and Barnie at Madison Elementary.

Goals and Responsibilities

Heritage’s facility dog program aims to foster a more caring environment by creating teachable moments and enhancing student confidence and well-being. Fern’s handlers, counselors Casey Hargis and Jamie Ratcliffe, initially came up with the idea to bring a facility dog to the school. “Our goals for Fern are to build upon Heritage’s positive environment and facilitate positive social-emotional health among our students and staff,” Nelson stated.

Casey shared about the strong connections made earlier in the journey. “Our good friend and coworker, Stefanie Cook, introduced us to Service Dogs of Alabama. Stefanie also received Barnie as a facility dog and helped us navigate the process,” she explained. It wasn’t until the training at Service Dogs of Alabama that they first met Fern, and the excitement was contagious.

Fern’s Daily Life

In her daily role, Fern is required to follow a strict regimen. She eats 1.5 cups of Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat — salmon and potato formula twice a day to avoid an upset stomach. While at work, she doesn’t receive treats, as being around kids may tempt her with secret snacks! “We want to keep our cafeteria clean from pet dander,” Hargis noted.

While working, Fern spreads joy by helping reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety, assisting with grief and loss, enhancing social skills, and even providing support to reluctant readers looking to improve their skills and fluency. “She’s a very happy girl and loves wagging her tail,” said Hargis. Just one week into her role, Fern has already turned frowns into smiles across the school.

Living the Good Life After School

After her busy days at school, Fern returns home with Hargis and her family, which also includes two dogs. “Fern loves being at the Hargis’ house and has friends to play with in off-hours,” Ratcliffe remarked. When Hargis is out of town, Fern gets to stay with Ratcliffe, and there’s even some friendly competition among staff on who gets to host her!

Support and Funding

Fern’s journey to Heritage wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Alabama Department of Education, which partnered with Service Dogs of Alabama to help cover some costs, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Madison City Schools also contributes financially, while generous outside donors continue to assist. Moreover, Animal Health Care Center in Madison is lending their expertise to ensure Fern remains healthy and happy.

Looking Forward

As Fern settles into her routine, everyone at Heritage Elementary is eagerly looking forward to the incredible impact she will undoubtedly continue to make. With her friendly disposition and nurturing nature, Fern is proving that sometimes the best cure for a tough day is a wagging tail and a bit of unconditional love.