Viking Academy’s newest four-legged faculty member, Jingle the therapy dog, is proving that education isn’t just for humans. On March 18, a representative from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) visited Tennessee High School to see how Jingle’s presence is making an impact—not only in student well-being but also in career training.
Jingle, a friendly and energetic Goldendoodle, joined Viking Academy, a program of Tennessee High, in January as part of TDOE’s Beyond Ordinary Learning Grant program. While she provides comfort and connection for students, she also plays a hands-on role in Tennessee High’s new dog grooming program, where students in the school’s animal science pathway gain real-world experience in pet care.
During the visit, guests observed students at work in the animal science classroom, where Jingle received a grooming session from seniors like Ariana, who is enrolled in the Capstone SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) course. The program, which has given Ariana and her classmates experience in dog grooming, financial management, and animal behavior, has opened doors to potential careers.
“I never realized how involved dog grooming is,” Ariana said. “I always thought it was just washing dogs, but there’s so much more to it. It definitely opened my eyes to this career, and I might pursue it in the future.”
The dog grooming program launched in January, giving students not only an opportunity to work with Jingle but also with pets from Tennessee High faculty and staff. Teacher Lori Givney, who leads the program, has been amazed at how quickly students have embraced the experience.
“The students love it,” Givney said. “I think a lot of students… start out and they love animals. So they think their only option is to become a veterinarian. There are so many different options for animal care… dog grooming is one of those. Even if a student doesn’t choose to go into dog grooming, the handling skills that they’re getting as they’re doing this process… gives them that flexibility.”
Jingle’s involvement isn’t just a learning opportunity for students—it also helps her in her role as a therapy dog. Frequent grooming sessions teach her to be comfortable with different types of handling, reinforcing her training.
“She’s been groomed by the students three times now, and I think she’s grown to enjoy it,” Ariana said. “It definitely makes me feel good knowing I’ve helped her.”
The success of the program has exceeded expectations, with more students eager to enroll than available grooming slots. What started as an idea at a conference has turned into a thriving hands-on learning experience, thanks to support from the district’s Career and Technical Education program.
With Jingle leading the way, Tennessee High is showing that career exploration can be both meaningful and heartwarming. As students continue to gain valuable skills, they also reinforce what Viking Academy is all about—learning beyond the ordinary.
