Simone’s Journey from Rescue Pup to Beloved Therapy Dog
Simone greets students at University Middle School (Wendy Adams/University of Memphis)
If you were to walk down the hallways of University Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee on any given day, you’d hear the familiar soundtrack of middle school life: lockers clacking shut, sneakers scuffing the tile, laughter spilling from a classroom. Threaded through it all is something softer, the gentle jingle of a dog’s collar, and the excited whispers, “There’s Simone!”
Simone isn’t just any dog. She’s a rescue whose story could have ended in heartbreak, but instead blossomed into something extraordinary—becoming a therapy dog who now brings comfort, joy, and hope to hundreds of Memphis students.
A Rescue with a Rough Beginning
Simone’s start in life was devastating. Along with her littermates, she was found abandoned and thrown away like trash. Thanks to Tails of Hope, a rescue devoted to second chances, Simone’s future changed course.
Named after Olympic icon Simone Biles, she carries the same spirit of resilience and strength, and soon found herself in a place where that spirit could shine.
A School Willing to Try Something New
When Tennessee’s Department of Education launched the Beyond Ordinary Learning Opportunities (BOLO) grant, schools were invited to think beyond traditional academics and elevate student well-being. For University Middle School in Memphis, the opportunity fit naturally. As the state’s first Innovative School District, the school was built to try new models and share what works.
Superintendent Dr. Sally Gates Parish immediately recognized a chance to pilot a therapy dog program that could touch every part of school life. “I knew immediately that University Middle was the perfect place to try this,” Dr. Parish recalls. “We’ve always been committed to innovation, and this was a chance to take that same spirit and apply it to student wellness.”
Simone’s First Visit
Having worked with Tails of Hope before, Dr. Parish reached out to the rescue and learned about a recently saved puppy who might be a perfect match. When Simone padded through the school doors for the first time, the atmosphere shifted. Teachers smiled. Students whispered. Within minutes, she made herself at home.
Some kids dropped to the floor and wrapped her in careful hugs; others hung back, only to be won over by a wagging tail and soft, steady eyes. “She immediately captured the hearts of all of our students and staff,” says Dr. Parish. “Students’ faces light up when they see her, and she brings joy into every room she enters.”
(Wendy Adams/University of Memphis)
A Dog Who Changes the Day
Now, Simone is part of the school’s daily rhythm. Walk past a classroom and you might see her curled beneath a desk during a quiz, or sitting patiently while a student practices reading aloud. She greets children at the door like an old friend, softening the transition into the day. For some, she’s a reason to come to school at all.
Middle school can be a tangle of change and emotion. With Simone roaming the halls, moods shift. Smiles come easier. Stress loosens its grip. Students who may not have a safe outlet at home find a gentle friend to lean on.
A Community That Made It Possible
Simone’s story is proof of what happens when a community rallies. Tails of Hope gave her a chance. West TN K9 provided training tailored to the classroom. University Middle opened its doors and heart. Together, they transformed a discarded puppy into a beloved member of the Memphis school community. One of Simone’s littermates even found a home with a University Middle family, deepening the bond between rescue and school.
From Local to National Recognition
Simone’s impact has reached far beyond campus. Her journey has been featured in The Washington Post, People, and more. But the truest measure of her success is close to home: the quiet confidence she builds, the comfort she brings in hard moments, and the joy she spreads down every hallway.
See more day-to-day moments on Simone's Instagram and the school’s Instagram
Popular posts
