Wynston goes to school with purpose
Wynston Irving Rhea will join students at Clinton Elementary School as a support dog once he finishes training and turns a year old. (photo:Submitted )
Wynston Irving Rhea belongs to Scott Rhea, financial services director of Clinton City Schools, and his wife, Sarah Rhea, Clinton Elementary School’s counselor.
“He will just be there as an emotional support and motivator for students,” Clinton City Schools Director Kelly Johnson said.
Tennessee Doodles, a Bernedoodle breeder in Maryville, provided the dog.
The Rheas will keep Wynston and pay for his veterinary care and food. The school system will pay for training and support-dog certification, which should take about a year.
Wynston will be approximately a year old when the training is completed.
Johnson said she did not know the full cost of the training, but expected it to be less than $5,000.
After completing his training, Wynston will accompany Sarah Rhea to school.
“He will be available to students who might get out of the car and they’re upset or they have some anxiety, depression, fear,” Johnson said. “So he can help students get into school if they’re having a rough day.”
Johnson said Wynston also will serve as a “reading buddy” to whom students can read in classrooms. He also could help reduce stress and resolve conflicts.
“He will help build self-esteem with students and just give students something to be excited about coming to school,” Johnson said.
Scott Rhea said Wynston will accompany Sarah Rhea to whichever school she is working at. Currently, she works at Clinton Elementary School Monday through Friday. Sarah Rhea and Wynston may, however, visit North Clinton and South Clinton elementary schools as scheduling permits.
Before arriving at Clinton Elementary, Wynston and the Rhea family will participate in two rounds of training.
The first round will focus on Wynston’s behavior and teach the Rheas how to guide and influence him as he matures and develops the appropriate temperament for interacting with people in various environments under their supervision.
The second round will focus on Wynston’s behavior with and around children.
The training will conclude with an evaluation that could allow Wynston, Sarah and Scott to volunteer through a University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine program in Clinton City Schools as planned.
The evaluation will consider Wynston’s veterinary records, overall health and well-being, current and past behavior, and the Rheas’ ability to handle him.