An 'Alt'-ernative approach to learning

Students at Libby’s Central School are getting a different kind of education this year. In addition to their regular curriculum, teacher Todd Berget has adopted a new teaching tool in his classroom: A nine-week old black lab mix puppy affectionately named Alt by the students.

Berget said the idea of bringing Alt into the classroom came from an alternative school in Missoula. Teachers there brought three dogs to school on a regular basis and were stunned by the positive impact the animals had on the students. The teachers noted a marked increase in attendance, engagement and attitude from the students. The dogs, Berget said, helped form a connection between the students and the classroom and gave the students another reason to come to school. 

“It’s very therapeutic,” Berget said. “The thing about dogs is that no matter what happens, they still love you. It just makes you smile.”

Berget took the idea to the school board and district superintendent Craig Barringer, who embraced the idea on a test basis.

“We read some research which stated the positive effect it can have on students, particularly those who may not have made a meaningful connection to school,” Barringer said. “What our teachers at Central School focus on is building trust with their students and Alt provides one avenue of success in building those trusting relationshops that fit with the culture of the school.”

Alt spends his days in the classroom, but goes home with either Barringer or district curriculum director Kaide Dodson for nights and weekends. When Dodson and Barringer are unavailable, Alt will spend the night with a student and his or her family.

During his days in the class, the students have taken complete responsibility for Alt. They take him outside on their breaks, they provide his food and water, and, when the inevitable accident happens, they clean up the mess. Berget keeps a spray bottle and cleaning supplies on hand to make sure the classroom and school are maintained in clean and safe conditions for both the students and Alt.

The students of Central School have undertaken a number of fundraising projects over the years, such as building and selling large sasquatch figures that can be seen around Libby and which have been sold around the region. The students are using these funds to pay for Alt’s food, supplies and veterinary care. No school money has been used for Alt’s care.

Berget said he, and the district administration, approached the trial carefully. Before making the decision to proceed they considered possible issues with students, such as allergies, phobias and other potential problems. They decided to bring Alt in on a trial basis and be ready to adjust or even to abandon the program and find Alt a new home, if necessary. For now, it seems the school, the students and Alt are adjusting well. 

“If anything comes up in the future, we’ll adjust around it,” Berget said.

Barringer said he has been pleasantly surprised with the program so far.

“We are trying it to see how it works, and to my surprise it has been a great success,” he said. “It has been fun to watch how some of our students interact with Alt, and even better to watch his interaction with them. There are some of those students, when he sees them his tail is wagging faster than his body can handle.”

The students have taken Alt into their hearts as well. In Berget’s classroom Wednesday afternoon Alt was napping on a table, cuddled into a pile of students’ jackets. The students’ eyes light up when they talk about Alt and what he means to them.

“He’s really good for the school and he helps us out,” said student Zach Burke.

Fellow student Taylor Thompson added: “He’s every kid’s dream. How often to you get to say, ‘the dog ate my homework,” and it’s true?”