Puppy love: Student teacher gives therapy dog lesson at Asa Adams

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

February 21, 2023 Elementary Education, News, School of Learning and Teaching

Fourth-grade students at Asa Adams Elementary School in Orono had a special visitor for Valentine’s Day: Ellie, a black Labrador retriever and certified therapy dog.

The visit was arranged by Natalie McCarthy, a senior elementary education major at the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, who is a student teacher at the school. McCarthy taught a lesson about therapy dogs, who are trained to provide comfort and love to groups and individuals in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Students in the class were able to pet Ellie and interact with her to see how she works.

McCarthy will graduate in May after completing her 15-week student teaching placement. Her mentor teacher at Asa Adams is Jen Easler.

: Asa Adams Elementary School students interact with Ellie, a therapy dog. Photo by Patrick Wine/University of Maine.

: An Asa Adams Elementary School student interacts with Ellie, a therapy dog. Photo by Patrick Wine/University of Maine.

: Asa Adams Elementary School students interact with Ellie, a therapy dog. Photo by Patrick Wine/University of Maine.

: Natalie McCarthy, a senior elementary education major at the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, teaches a lesson about therapy dogs to a fourth-grade class at Asa Adams Elementary School where McCarthy is doing her student teaching. Photo by Patrick Wine/University of Maine.