Caitlin Christoffersen had the same dilemma a number of teachers face this time of year. 

“The end of the year is so busy, you have to up the experience to keep the kids learning,” said Mrs. Christoffersen, a 2nd-grade teacher at Bell Elementary.

Unlike other teachers, Mrs. Christoffersen had a helper guaranteed to get her students’ attention – a three-year-old, 100-pound Great Dane named Piper.

 

 

“They’ve been asking about her all year, so I wanted to bring her in. I wanted to keep them learning and up the engagement,” said Mrs. Christoffersen. 

Mrs. Christoffersen not only brought Piper to her class, but also the book in which Piper is the star - Piper’s Adventures in Petlandia. She read the book to her students, sharing the story of how Piper went to Hollywoof and became famous by playing the saxophone. 

“What’s her YouTube channel?” asked one student.

“Look, it says Petflix,” said another, pointing to an illustration in the book. 

However, despite fame, money and all of the material things she could buy, Piper wasn’t happy. In fact, one of her last quotes in the book is, “Fame is pretty epic but snuggling is the best.”

The lessons seemed to have stuck with the students.

“Never leave your home just for money,” said James Yadlowsky.

“Never leave your home just to be famous and go away from your family,” said Alannah Batzel.

“Don’t be greedy,” said Rocco Parmelee.

 

 

Among the words the students used to describe the real-life Piper: “cute,” “calm,” “soft,” “furry,” “crazy and nice.”

As Mrs. Christoffersen read to her students, the children pet and talked to Piper as she walked, sniffed and sat among them. After hearing the book, the students asked Mrs. Christoffersen questions, learning how Piper got so big and how much she weighs.

“Some might not have experience with a dog, or ever have seen a Great Dane,” said Mrs. Christoffersen. 

So, like in her book, Piper returned home full of lessons.