{"id":19418,"date":"2025-12-04T11:44:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?p=19418"},"modified":"2025-12-04T12:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T17:29:17","slug":"eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”19407″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Dogs Inc trainers use the different campus terrains to train the service dogs on how to be helpful companions. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”news_subhead” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Recently, in front of the <\/span>James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences<\/span><\/a> on the Eckerd College campus, Jennifer Johnson \u201999 and a yellow labrador retriever named Russet arrived at the top of the downward steps when Russet slowed to a stop. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]It was an easy six steps to the bottom, but Russet has been trained to halt when he comes to stairs, curbs or obstructions. The person holding Russet\u2019s handle could be blind, visually impaired or have a disability that would make navigating sidewalks or even familiar places dangerous. Russet is a canine early-warning system.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when Russet stops,\u201d Johnson explains, \u201cthe person knows to probe what\u2019s ahead.\u201d She looks down at her companion sitting patiently by her feet. \u201cGood boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

People strolling through Eckerd\u2019s campus will be seeing more of Russet and many of his closest friends in the future. The College recently agreed to partner with Dogs Inc<\/a>, a Palmetto nonprofit (formerly known as Southeastern Guide Dogs) that will start using the Eckerd campus for guide dog and service dog training several times a month.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”32″ top_margin_phone=”32″ column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”19410″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Jennifer Johnson ’99 walks Russet through a stairs exercise.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Johnson, who serves as director of guide dogs for Dogs Inc, says she will bring a group that usually includes 15\u201320 animals and several Dogs Inc trainers. Each trainer will lead and train four or five dogs during the course of a day. They will operate usually from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and while they will be visible on campus, the dogs and trainers will be trying to stay to themselves, because these will be working sessions.<\/p>\n

Dogs Inc, founded in 1982 as Southeastern Guide Dogs, has a mission of training young canines to become guide dogs, service dogs and skilled companion dogs and then pairing them\u2014at no cost\u2014with people who have vision loss, veterans with disabilities, children facing significant challenges, and others who can benefit from these partnerships.<\/p>\n

Dogs Inc pups are born on the organization\u2019s Palmetto campus and then placed with volunteers at about 10 weeks old. The pups return to campus about a year later to start their advanced instruction. That\u2019s when the trainee chooses its \u201ccareer path\u201d\u2014guide dog, service dog, therapy dog or skilled companion dog.<\/p>\n

About half a dozen Eckerd alumni currently work at Dogs Inc, including Johnson, who graduated from Eckerd with a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies<\/a> and a minor in biology<\/a>. After working in a veterinarian\u2019s office and volunteering for SPCA<\/a>, she started working for Southeastern Guide Dogs in 2006.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”19409″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Animals are provided to people in need, free of charge.\u00a0<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cThe benefit we have working at Eckerd,\u201d she explains, \u201cis that the dogs are being trained in a real-world situation\u2014crowded sidewalks with bicycles and skateboards, walking through Starbucks \u2026 and it\u2019s all at one venue.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cAnd I believe in the human-animal bond,\u201d she adds. \u201cThat\u2019s an incredible motivator. The dog\u2019s job is to help people get from point A to point B safely. If the dog sees a hazard, it will stop. Then it\u2019s the job of the handler to figure out why the dog stopped. The person can search with their foot or hand to figure out what the hazard is. It\u2019s a partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson hopes the Eckerd College\u2013Dogs Inc partnership will continue for the foreseeable future. \u201cI think the Eckerd campus will always be a valuable venue for us to train the dogs,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s not far for us to travel, and there are so many elements of our training process we can work on while we\u2019re on campus. When we walk around during our visits, I see a lot of smiles. But everybody is very respectful of the work we\u2019re doing.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”19408″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Hazards like automatic doors are a vital part of the training program for guide dogs.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Few people at Eckerd College have a better understanding of what it takes to successfully train a dog than Lauren Highfill, Ph.D.<\/a>, professor of psychology<\/a> and animal studies<\/a>. She founded the Eckerd College Dog Training Program<\/a> and, using a grant, led a group of students that taught a therapy dog named Orlo<\/a> to play rudimentary video games to improve his learning ability and mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had Jennifer Johnson visit my Dog Behavior and Cognition class last spring, and it was a highlight for the students,\u201d Highfill says. \u201cThey learned a tremendous amount about the raising and training of guide dogs, and, of course, they absolutely loved meeting a dog-in-training. I\u2019m planning to have Jennifer come to a different course this spring, and I\u2019m excited to broaden the connection for more students.<\/p>\n

\u201cDogs Inc is an ideal practicum site for our animal studies majors who are required to complete hands-on fieldwork as part of the curriculum,\u201d Highfill adds. \u201cHaving such a strong partner right across the bridge is a huge asset. There are so many ways for our students to volunteer, intern, and gain real-world animal-care and behavior experience with Dogs Inc.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnimal studies faculty are also looking forward to expanding the collaboration in additional directions over time. I would love to explore future opportunities, including the possibility of student-driven research projects with Dogs Inc. There\u2019s enormous potential for mutually beneficial work as our partnership develops.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":19407,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,242,1469],"tags":[1474,1476,1475,446],"class_list":{"0":"post-19418","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-animal-studies","9":"category-homepage-feature","10":"tag-dogs-inc","11":"tag-guide-dogs","12":"tag-jennfier-johnson","13":"tag-lauren-highfill"},"yoast_head":"\nEckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom - News | Eckerd College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tom Zucco\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tom Zucco\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tom Zucco\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\"},\"headline\":\"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2868,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/guide-dogs-street.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Dogs Inc\",\"guide dogs\",\"Jennfier Johnson\",\"Lauren Highfill\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Academics\",\"Animal Studies\",\"Feature\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/\",\"name\":\"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom - News | Eckerd College\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/guide-dogs-street.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/guide-dogs-street.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/guide-dogs-street.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1333,\"caption\":\"Three women in purple shirts each walk a dog by harness and prepare to walk across a street\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"News | Eckerd College\",\"description\":\"Newsroom at Eckerd College\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\",\"name\":\"Tom Zucco\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Tom Zucco\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom - News | Eckerd College","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom","og_description":"News | Eckerd College","og_url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/","og_site_name":"News | Eckerd College","article_published_time":"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1333,"url":"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Tom Zucco","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Tom Zucco","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/"},"author":{"name":"Tom Zucco","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d"},"headline":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom","datePublished":"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/"},"wordCount":2868,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg","keywords":["Dogs Inc","guide dogs","Jennfier Johnson","Lauren Highfill"],"articleSection":["Academics","Animal Studies","Feature"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/","name":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom - News | Eckerd College","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-04T16:44:30+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-04T17:29:17+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/12\/guide-dogs-street.jpg","width":2000,"height":1333,"caption":"Three women in purple shirts each walk a dog by harness and prepare to walk across a street"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/eckerd-college-partners-with-dogs-inc-to-create-unique-canine-classroom\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Eckerd College partners with Dogs Inc to create unique canine classroom"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/","name":"News | Eckerd College","description":"Newsroom at Eckerd College","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d","name":"Tom Zucco","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","caption":"Tom Zucco"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19418"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19450,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19418\/revisions\/19450"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}