Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Ryan Wyrick, left, and Daniel Eames lie on a carpet with Rene, a black Labrador retriever, in their community-based education class at Stone Creek Elementary in Rossville.ROSSVILE – Meet Rene. She’s the only employee at Stone Creek Elementary School allowed to take naps on the job.
She even recruits students to join her on the floor to catch a few winks between assignments.
But don’t start calling the school board with complaints. Teachers and administrators say taking it easy is a big part of Rene’s job.
A specially trained facility dog, Rene is at Stone Creek simply to provide comfort to children who don’t always form the best relationships with adults.
“She lets kids love her,” said Kay Gaither, Rene’s handler. “Mostly, she’s here just for enjoyment.”