SmartDog introduced at Butterfield Elementary to help teach students

According to a press release, this new assistant teacher is an electronic educational resource teaching math, reading, writing and other subjects.

For example, when a student shows Lucky a book, she’ll recognize it and say, “I know that book; let’s read it together.” Then, the dog will read the book to the students while they read along.

Lucky, as well as a similar SmartLamb, knows over a thousand elementary school lessons and books.

Butterfield Elementary students quickly welcomed Lucky with many hugs and pats; a contest was even held to name her.

According to the press release, elementary school teachers make up a small percentage of the workforce but have one of the highest levels of vocal cord injuries.

It’s especially common for K-2 teachers since students don’t read yet. These teachers constantly speak to teach.

Across the nation every year, about 1 in 5 teachers miss work due to vocal cord injuries and about half still work with minimal teaching in the classroom while their vocal cords recover.

Teachers using SmartDog in the classroom have said it’s the first time they didn’t need to take time off or reduce classroom instructional activities due to vocal problems.

The technology handles repetitive oral lessons for most K-3 classrooms. It allows teachers to focus on helping individual students and small groups, meeting their educational needs.

Currently, there’s a nationwide teacher shortage along with the pandemic disrupting students' academic progress, requiring additional help. Maricopa Unified School District teachers also need additional support and receive it thanks to the smart animals.