Larned Elementary School has the privilege of having a support dog named Indie Anne. Indie, a black lab, was born on April 17, 2018. Indie works alongside one of our school social workers, Krysten Watkins. This is Indie’s fourth year at LES. Mrs. Watkins met Indie when she was 9 weeks old and instantly brought happiness to her heart! Now Indie is a special dog who brings many smiles to LES students and staff.
Indie has many jobs at LES, and one is to help students regulate their emotions. Indie helps settle lots of tears, walks nervous students into the building, and lends a listening ear. Indie makes several visits to classrooms everyday, so each student has a chance to see her. Indie can be seen all throughout the school meeting with students and making sure students feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn! Indie also provides the opportunity for breaks and walks outside of the classroom for students who need a change in scenery. Indie helps with dismissal where she provides entertainment as students wait for their ride home.
With Indie, comes some ground rules that all of our LES students must learn first. They must ask to pet Indie, and she must be sitting or laying down before they can pet her. If she is feeling the need for attention, she will stop, rollover on her back, and lay for everyone to give her a belly rub!
Indie absolutely loves her LES family!! She loves getting treats and knows her way around the building to find all of the staff who provide her with treats. Indie can also be found sporting a different handkerchief everyday to keep students guessing what she will have on next.
LES is lucky to have Indie as an additional support for our students and staff. If you can't get enough of Indie, please follow her Dog Blog on Mrs. Watkins school web page!
