NOTHING BETTER THAN PUPPY BREATH — Nicolas Gambos enjoyed his time playing with Coco, a beagle/pug mix who was brought to the Jefferson County Humane Society with her sister, Mollie, after their owner died. Gambos visited the shelter with his fourth-grade classmates as part of Wells Academy’s “One School, One Book,” campaign. The students brought out the joy in the sisters, something they have not been able to feel since their owner died. Officials are hoping both dogs can be placed in a home together, as the cost of one adoption fee has been paid by an area donor to make it easier cost-wise, to take both animals. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Disney World. The place where dreams come true … or so they say.

The Orlando amusement park was home to dozens of fourth-grade students from Wells Academy earlier this month.

The trip was part of the school’s Imagineers program — a Disney experience in which youth learn behind-the-scenes details regarding the park’s mechanics at the Disney Imagination Campus.

Those who are not part of the program stayed behind and continued their daily lessons every day.

Wells Academy Principal Tommy Kotsanis explained the school has been participating in the “One School, One Book,” campaign, with a focus on the book, “8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel \ 1 Dog = Chaos.”

BEING GENTLE — Wells Academy fourth-grader Elena Foglia assisted Brandi DeNoon Damewood, development manager of the Jefferson County Humane Society, in helping to be gentle to Coco, who is new to the shelter. Coco and her sister, Mollie, lost everything when their owner died. Officials are attempting to place these beagle/pug mixes together. -- Contributed

Throughout May, students have been doing various activities centered around that book, Kotsanis remarked.

For example, fourth-graders who were not in Florida with the Imagineers, had the opportunity to visit the Jefferson County Humane Society in Wintersville.

“They were able to learn about pet adoption and the importance of it,” Kotsanis noted.

The shelter’s development manager, Brandi DeNoon Damewood, stated because of the large number of students, the visit had to be divided into two days to provide for a better experience.

The first group of fourth-graders visited the shelter May 5, while the second group visited May 6.

STUDENTS SHOW COMPASSION — At left, Camryn Boston helped brush the cats being housed at the Jefferson County Humane Society during Wells Academy’s visit to the shelter May 5-6. At right, students helped to make peanut butter treats for the animals, included, from left, Nina Rosel, Autumn Schaefer, Ethan Max and Arabella Lytle. -- Contributed

But what if those students had been given a choice?

What if, as they boarded the bus, they could have chosen the trip they wanted to be a part of?

In that moment, where do you think they would have told the driver to take them?

To visit the Orlando amusement park, or to see some of the area’s homeless dogs and cats at the local animal shelter?

For most, their immediate response would probably have been Disney World.

However, not every single child felt that way.

Just ask a fourth-grader by the name of Aubree Wick.

Wick explained to Damewood she was “a little sad” about not being able to go on the trip with some of her friends who are in the club.

And then, she learned the rest of the fourth-graders would be going to the animal shelter as part of the school’s book campaign, and declared, “The Jefferson County Humane Society is better than Disney!”

Wick went on to say she would “always choose helping animals over doing anything for myself.”

“What a beautiful young lady … wow. That is incredible,” Damewood exclaimed at Wick’s response.

“Our future is in good hands with this group of loving humans who already have empathy and compassion toward helping animals and other humans.”

Wick’s classmate, Reagan Rine, shared her empathy.

“It’s both happy and sad,” Rine explained. “I am happy that the animals here are safe and taken care of. But it’s sad that they don’t have a family, yet.”

Damewood stated she set up three stations for the young guests. The groups were told they could rotate stations every 30 minutes and experience each one.

Stations featured a dog interaction area — where children could view and pet the dogs that had been specifically chosen by Damewood.

Damewood said she selected a pair of dogs — sisters — for the children to interact with outside in the play area. Her decision was based on the dogs’ love for children, as well as their kindness toward people.

Damewood stated the two dogs, Coco and Mollie, are new to the shelter. They are 3 years old and a beagle/pug mix brought in following their owner’s death.

“Mollie and Coco spent their entire three years of life with each other in a loving home. This has been a devastating shock to them. Until Monday, they huddled in the back of their kennels, unwilling to interact with anyone. Then, they got to enjoy two days of being outdoors with these children, who really helped them to remember what it is like to feel happiness and be loved once again.”

Ever since the students’ visit, the sisters have “drastically changed,” according to Damewood.

“They run to the front of their kennels to greet everyone and they wiggle their little bodies the moment they see the leash,” she stated. “This visit has absolutely made a huge impact on them — something we had been trying to achieve but couldn’t. We owe these kids everything for helping these beautiful gals remember what it means to be loved. We are trying to find a home for them to stay together.”

Damewood said the desire to keep both dogs together is so strong, that “a kindhearted person” paid one of the adoption fees. Therefore, anyone willing to adopt both dogs will only have to pay one adoption fee.

During the Wells visit, the young guests toured the shelter, walking through rooms and looking at the cats and dogs available through adoption or fostering.

A kitten station was run by volunteers Holly Pate and Diane Corder, who specialize in felines. Students were allowed to brush the kittens, give them sardine snacks, help clean their ears and learn about kitten season.

Students then spent time in a brainstorming station. Here they discussed with shelter workers and volunteers their thoughts on how to find every single animal a home.

Damewood noted how each evening before locking up for the night, each of the animals receive a special treat to enjoy. So she decided to set up a treat enrichment crafting station where students could help make special snacks for the dogs and cats. Some treats were made with peanut butter, pumpkin and canned dog food, while others were made to include a surprise hot dog piece in the center. Students also made frozen pup cups for those especially hot days.

“These kids were incredible,” Damewood commented. “We had so many in-depth conversations about animal care, shelter care and cruelty. The children got to meet a few of the pets that have been rescued from cruelty. And they came up with a project that their teacher agreed they can do.”

Damewood explained how shelter officials talked about what a challenge it can be to find a home for a bonded pair of dogs. “Getting them adopted together is a challenge,” she stated. “So, the students decided to make posters with the pets’ photos to help these darlings find good homes. I am so very proud of these brilliant young ladies and gentlemen.”

Anyone interested in adopting Coco and Mollie or any of the animals at the shelter, can visit the JCHS Facebook page, the shelter at 200 Airpark Drive or call (740) 314-5583.