MAY I HUG YOU? — Preschoolers attending McKinley STEM Academy in the Steubenville City School District received a special visit Tuesday morning from officials with the Jefferson County Humane Society. Pupils learned about animal safety and how we should treat our four-legged friends — with kindness and respect. Among those waiting their turn to pet Mia, a 10-week-old stray at the shelter, were, clockwise from top, development manager Brandi De-Noon Damewood and 3-year-old Harper Conlon; 4-year-old Gigi Miletic and 4-year-old Adonis Wilson. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Who doesn’t love a dog? The answer to that question is, no one who attends preschool at McKinley STEM Academy. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 received a special visit from a 10-week old stray puppy named Mia, who became the center of attention in the school’s cafeteria Tuesday morning.

Mia was accompanied by officials from the Jefferson County Humane Society, including shelter manager Kat Eddy, development manager Brandi DeNoon-Damewood and humane agent Kevin Dennis.

According to DeNoon-Damewood, the nonprofit agency visits all area schools interested in educated students about animals, with each grade receiving a lesson specific to their age group. For example, McKinley preschoolers learned about safety measures to take around animals. These precautionary steps can help prevent being bitten or scratched.

DeNoon-Damewood explained how to always make sure to ask the animal if it is OK to pet them, rather than immediately reach out and try to touch them. Although many of the children attending the presentation were only 3 and 4, each seemed to understand the lesson.

When Mia was placed before them, each boy and girl asked permission of Mia before trying to pet her. Once they deemed it safe, each moved slowly to touch her. What they did not expect, however, was the welcomed emrace and quick kiss Mia gave in return. The pupils learned ways to care for animals and now know that cats and dogs are dependant upon people for their care.

“We try to teach children what they can do and what we can do to help animals,” DeNoon-Damewood stated, adding if children learn how to properly care for animals now — treating them with the respect and kindness they deserve — it will be something that stays with them through adulthood.

“We feel that it starts out with our youth,” she remarked. “Teaching children about having compassion and empathy toward animals now is a way for us to avoid animal cruelty in the future.”

“If we want to end animal cruelty in the future, it has to start with our youth,” she stated. “A lot of times children can feel like they are powerless and unable to do anything when it comes to being able to help an animal that is being mistreated or abused. We want them to know that their voice matters. We want them to know they can change the life of an animal by speaking up and letting someone know.”

DeNoon-Damewood recalled a child recorded an animal being abused and how it ultimately led to the case going to court and the individual responsible being charged with battery of an animal. “Children really can make a difference,” she concluded.

Each child received a copy of the book “Love Me Gently,” which teaches how animals should be treated. Eddy said being able to visit area schools is a good way to prepare today’s youth on how to care for animals.

She mentioned how we all need to treat animals respectfully and not treat them any less than we would another person. Mia will be placed on the adoption schedule at the humane society on Thursday, according to Eddy, who is fostering the puppy until after her surgery. She explained all animals at the shelter receive the necessary medical care prior to being placed, including being spayed or neutered.

Preschoolers were excited for the shelter’s visit. Many eagerly talked about their own pets, including Cruise Conlon. The 5-year-old proudly exclaimed he has a dog at home named Carmella, but he refers to her as Carmel. “She is cute and big and furry,” he said.

Five-year-old Barrett Carroll announced he has three dogs and four cats. When told he must love animals, he responded, “Yes!” and eagerly rattled off their names, including Addy, Carmello, Kitt and Luna, and dogs Murphy, Daisy and Annie.

Brother and sister Cooper and Emry Virtue patiently waited their turn to talk about the pets they have at home. Cooper, 5, said their dog’s name is Bingo and their rabbit is Nugget or Nuggie. The two agreed they enjoyed meeting Mia and said they would like to own another dog someday. Cooper noted he wants a cat, but his dad doesn’t care for them.

When asked what they learned from Mia’s visit, Emry said they were told to be nice to dogs and to give them a treat. She said she also learned to put them in a cage.

DeNoon-Damewood noted the humane society will be visiting Wells Academy in April. Officials will speak to the school but in separate classrooms to ensure the discussions are age-appropriate. She said there are five or six schools that request a visit each spring with bookings starting in January.

Any school interested in a visit can complete an online request form at jeffersoncountyhumanesociety.net/education-programs.

A customized lesson, along with an animal encounter specifically for the school’s objectives will be arranged.