Foster Pups Teach 5th Graders to care for Nature's Treasures

By Mandy Catoe

For The Lancaster News
October 1, 2017

The most popular spot at McDonald Green Elementary is teacher Kim Threatt’s science lab. Some students skip recess to spend a little more time there, and even teachers and principals find excuses to drop by.

The pull is puppy love.

About five weeks ago, Threatt began fostering two puppies for the Lancaster SPCA – Bo and Lucy. Threatt decided to take them to school and teach responsible pet care. The puppies joined more than a dozen animals bringing science to life at McDonald Green.

“Animals love children unconditionally,” Threatt said. “They don’t judge, don’t see color, size, or IQ.”

Threatt worked for eight years as a park ranger before becoming an elementary science teacher. She brings her love of nature into the classroom, giving a hands-on experience from the natural world. She offers the children a chance to touch the treasures of the earth, hoping they will want to take care of them.

“Through these puppies, I hope to teach the children that it’s our responsibility to take care of our pets,” Threatt said.

Last Monday morning, the kids seemed happy to be back at school. Nineteen students, mostly fifth graders, quickly quietened down as Threatt began a lesson on being good stewards of the planet. The students were respectful of their classmates, raised their hands and didn’t talk over each other. Threatt was holding Lucy, the motivation.

In a question-and-answer exchange, she got the kids talking and thinking about pets – what they need and why they need people. The kids talked about the county’s crowded animal shelter and why just making it bigger doesn’t make up for irresponsible pet owners. Threatt told them about spaying dogs.
A puppy is at least a 14-year commitment, she said, with constant financial costs for food and medicine.
As the class neared the end, Threatt noted that three students come to school early and stay late to care for the animals. She pointed to Railee Brown, Sydnie Turk and Raelyn Plyler.

“These three girls aren’t afraid to hold crickets or handle the animals,” Threatt said. “They clean cages, gather eggs, feed and water the animals, including the rabbit, hedgehog, cockatiel and chickens.”
Railee, smiling ear-to-ear, picked Lucy up.
“Not everyone gets an opportunity to bring puppies to school and hang out with them and play with them,” she said. As if on cue, Lucy wagged her tail a bit faster.
The bell rang, marking the end of science lab for these students until next Monday. The kids made their way out of class slowly.


The puppies will be part of a Lancaster SPCA adoption drive this Saturday at PetSense. Threatt explained the fostering process to the students when she first introduced the dogs into the classroom.

Puppies in the Shelter before LSPCA rescued them

“I will be heartbroken when I have to say goodbye to these puppies, but I know the LSPCA finds responsible pet owners that will give them a great home,” Threatt said. “I will be so thrilled if they are adopted together into the same home. They have never been apart.”
The class was now empty except for Threatt and Christopher Davis, assistant principal.
Threatt shared one of the most touching moments from the past five weeks. A foster child, who rarely showed emotion, was sitting quietly alone on the floor in the lab.
“Lucy walked over to him, got in his lap and licked his face,” Threatt said. “And the little boy broke out in the biggest smile.”
“They just know,” Davis said. “The puppies just know.”
Davis comes in daily to get some puppy love.
“I think it’s very important for our students to have the sense of care for our community,” Davis said. “And animals are a part of our community.”
Threatt reached down and picked Lucy up and stood next to Davis, who had Bo in his arms.
“These puppies were fosters – rescued from the shelter,” she said. “No one wanted them and the love of the students turned them into loving puppies.”

Lancaster SPCA President Diana Knight said she is grateful for what Threatt is doing.
“Through the years of rescue and with all the good and bad, you learn what is important and what needs to be done in our county,” Knight said. “What Ms. Threatt has done is the beginning of change. The next generation needs to learn proper care and how to be a responsible pet owner. Children are the future to change.”

UPDATE: According to LSPCA President Diana Knight, Bo was adopted by a very good family.