Dog cruelly thrown away, now she helps pupils - her story captures hearts!
Tennessee/USA - A cute therapy dog helps students at a school, but her former life wasn't exactly pleasant - she was once dumped in the trash.
The little dog Simone was discovered in July last year by a man in the US state of Tennessee, who found her together with her siblings among garbage cans.
As People reported, the helpless man quickly called an animal welfare organization, which advised him to take the three puppies into their care.
No sooner said than done. But once there, the staff realized how bad the three little four-legged friends were.
They were severely malnourished, had hardly any fur left and were suffering from scabies. They also had burnt paws, as they had been kept in a metal cage for over a week and the temperatures were very high.
Simone the dog became a therapy dog
When the puppies had recovered somewhat, they moved into foster homes to continue their recovery.
Once the pups were better, little Simone in particular started to show her personality.
She was calm and gentle and could be held by anyone - all the characteristics of a potential therapy dog.
And just at the right time - when Simone was ready to be adopted - the animal welfare organization contacted a potential fosterer.
Lo and behold, Sally Parish, the principal of a university, inquired about a therapy dog for her school, having already adopted a dog from the organization herself!
Simone was adopted by Sally Parish
"Simone had a job interview at the school a few days later and immediately won the hearts of all our students and staff," recalled Parish.
But that wasn't all - Sally Parish herself was so taken with Simone that she eventually took the little dog into her own family. A short time later, her siblings were also adopted and found a new loving home.
The furry friend now helps around 270 children at the school and makes them smile.
"Simone's impact has exceeded anything we could have ever imagined. I have seen first-hand the joy she brings to our students, teachers and families. The students' faces light up when they see her and she immediately brings joy to every room she enters," Parish explained.
The principal hopes that Simone's story will inspire people to give animals a second chance.