‘Class pet’ named Bark Twain gets special treatment at Kansas school. He needs a home
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A dog in Topeka, Kansas had a day away from shelter life and spent it getting his education on at a high school — along with lots of pets and belly scratches.
Bark Twain (yes, b-a-r-k) came to the Helping Hands Humane Society as a stray pup and now he’s an honorary “class pet” at Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh after spending a day learning about literature in a class led by a teacher named Mrs. Bradshaw, a Facebook post said.
“Mrs. Bradshaw has generously sponsored his adoption fee, allowing him to be their class pet even though he resides at the shelter,” a Sept. 2 post said.
Emily Bradshaw is a language arts teacher, per the high school’s website.
“Bark Twain is currently available for adoption. To make his transition smoother, Mrs. Bradshaw has provided some school-themed toys that will go home with his new family. Last Thursday, Bark Twain visited the class and enjoyed a special photo session with his classmates.”
And, of course, his photo will be featured in the school’s yearbook, because he “behaved impeccably, sitting calmly and displaying a gentle demeanor with the students,” the post said.
Bradshaw told McClatchy News that Bark was chosen as the class mascot as a way to bring her class together.
“I’m fortunate to work in a district that prioritizes the student experience, and part of that is creating a ‘home court advantage’—a space where students feel safe, valued, and respected, which is essential for their growth both academically and personally,” Bradshaw said.
“The idea to ‘adopt’ Bark Twain stemmed from this goal, aiming to build community within our classroom while also contributing to the greater Topeka area.”
The students voted on the pup to sponsor and even named him.
“The first week of school, students voted to sponsor a dog and named him Bark Twain to honor the American literature we study,” Bradshaw noted. “When HHHS reached out to me about Bark visiting our classroom, I immediately saw it as a great community-building opportunity. Dogs are known to lower stress and provide comfort, which I thought could be especially beneficial in the classroom environment.”
According to Bark’s pet profile, he’s around 2-years-old — and is about as chill as they come, so don’t let his name fool you.
“Despite his name, Bark Twain didn’t actually bark at all!” Bradshaw added. “He was incredibly calm and sweet, even with a group of teenagers surrounding him. I had the privilege of holding his leash, and he stayed relaxed the entire time, making the visit a huge success.”
For more online information on Bark and other adoptable pets, visit the shelter’s website.
This story was originally published September 2, 2024 at 3:31 PM with the headline "‘Class pet’ named Bark Twain gets special treatment at Kansas school. He needs a home."