Widder’s class uses puppy power to beat the winter blues

Tonya Widder’s third grade class at Walnut Creek Elementary has gone to the dogs, and the kids loved it.

On the tail of what was one of the most powerful snowstorms for many years that took place in late January, she said it felt like the kids needed to get out and do something fun and educational as a way of shaking off the rust of being cramped up inside for many days.

That took on the form of a day trip featuring lots of puppies, a day she dubbed “Paw-some Day” Friday, Jan. 30.

“This was an idea I hatched because I wanted to make a day of beating the winter blahs for the kids,” Widder said. “I wanted to make sure to include something that made reading enjoyable, and the dogs really did the trick.”

The class loaded up on a bus and took a quick trip west to Berlin, where they visited Pawsome Family Pets, where the students read books to puppies and spent plenty of quality time frolicking with their new four-legged friends.

Upon returning to school, the class dug into a new project, that being making puppy chow snacks courtesy of some classroom moms who volunteered the time and ingredients to make the sweet treat.

That was followed by a visit from Bill Kinsey and Dana Wall of Walnut Creek.

Wall is a new author of the book "Ellie Meets Maple," a watercolor picture book that promotes the importance of courage, kindness and friendship.

The book is based on her dog Ellie, a big, fluffy Bernedoodle who lives in Amish Country. One peaceful afternoon she spots Maple, a gentle horse she’s never met up close before. Feeling a little nervous but curious, Ellie takes her time, listens carefully and discovers bravery doesn’t have to be loud or fast.

The book includes simple discussion notes, making it ideal for a solid classroom visit and discussion from the local couple, who brought Ellie along as a special guest.

“It was a great experience for the kids to have Dana read the book to them and discuss it,” Widder said. “She really connected with the kids.”

The day was capped off by a visit from Michael DeWitt and Jess McConville of the Holmes County Dog Warden and Adoption Center, who brought in one of their dogs to visit with the kids.

“It was really cool,” Widder said of the visit. “Michael brought in his own personal dog, and she walked around and the kids got to pet her and hug her, and she was incredibly friendly. It capped off a terrific day of fun with dogs and puppies that the kids will remember for a long time.”

What made the day even more special was the way it held tremendous meaning for one of Widder’s students.

She said one of her girls has always been afraid of dogs, but by the end of the day, the girl was petting and holding the dogs and having a great time bonding with her new friends.

“Some really neat things came out of this day, and the kids made a lot of great and valuable memories,” Widder said.

When it comes to defeating the winter blahs, few things can warm the heart like those of the four-legged variety who like to cuddle and give wet nose kisses, and while they may speak a very different language, on this day the students and puppies were all on the same page.