Miami Students Find Purpose Through Caring for Emotional Support Dog

Charlie the French Bulldog

• 🐶 Charlie, a rescued French bulldog, has become an integral part of the special education class at Miami Southridge Senior High School.
• 🐾 He serves as an emotional support dog, providing comfort and companionship to the students.
• ✨ Charlie's integration into the classroom began after students adopted him from Miami-Dade Animal Services and expressed a desire for him to visit the school.

Life Skills and Curriculum Integration

• 📚 What started as a one-day visit evolved into a weekly commitment and is now a part of the curriculum for the STAR program students.
• 💖 Students express that Charlie is like an "extra friend in class" and that caring for him teaches them responsibility, such as knowing when it's time for a nap, feeding, or providing water.
• 🧑‍🏫 For young adults with intellectual disabilities, the program focuses on life skills, independence, and community engagement beyond core academics.

Community Engagement and Future Preparation

• 🏞️ The students participate in various community activities, including visiting a horse farm, cleaning up parks, and going on scavenger hunts.
• 🤝 They also volunteer their time by collecting donations for Miami-Dade Animal Services, demonstrating a commitment to giving back.
• 💼 These experiences are designed to prepare the 20-year-olds for future employment and independence after graduation, with some students expressing a desire to work with animals or in retail.