Since becoming teachers in the agriculture department at LaVergne High School, Jordan Komers and Angayla Smith have seen a rebirth of the school’s Future Farmers of America program and a growing interest of students in careers in agriculture. They believe that their new Wolverine Doggy Daycare has played a significant role in developing student interest in the area. More School News
“More kids are coming into my room because they see the dogs, and asking where to sign up,” said Smith.
Starting Over with Doggie Daycare
Previous to Smith and Komers coming onboard at the school, there was a lot of turnover in the teachers running a previous dog grooming program causing an eventual breakdown. There were at one time several dog washing stations available because the agriculture classrooms were shared with the welding program that offered shower areas. Although their current classrooms are still in a shop style setting with cement floors, the dog washing equipment is no longer available. So, they are starting all over again.
“Five-ish years ago LaVergne High School had a full-blown dog grooming business here,” said Komers. “It eventually dwindled down to be pretty much non-existent, so we decided that moving forward it would be really good for these kids, and even us, to experience the doggy daycare side before we jump into the grooming. So, we started Wolverine Doggy Daycare in November [2025]. It has been booming ever since.”
How It Works
Both teachers have dogs in their rooms two days a week, with a maximum of three per day if at least two come from the same household. The dogs stay in their classrooms the whole day. Students are trained to be the main ones caring for the animals: walking them, making sure they have water, and picking up after them.
Currently, the program just allows fellow teacher’s dogs to participate. The charge is $6 per dog per day. They have added nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth cleaning to the daycare with their “Wolverine Spa Package” for $15.
Kenneling of the dogs depends on the personality of the dog. If the dog is sweet and gentle, then they are allowed to roam, as the class room has been made dog-safe, but if they show any aggressiveness or a desire to escape, then they are kenneled. Plus, there is a student or teacher in the room at all times to watch them.
“So far we’ve gotten pretty good business from that,” noted Komers, “and we’ve been able to maintain the upkeep on the program.”
Impact of the Program
Teachers and students see the doggie daycare having a positive impact on them. The kids are learning about caring for an animal and receiving emotional support from them, while also learning discipline and skills that could lead to a job as a veterinary technician right out of high school.
Because of the positive impact of the program, the pair hope, in the next one to two years, to get grooming equipment. The equipment would be used and stored in the barn on campus.
“Then hopefully, maybe, expanding to have dogs every day,” noted Komers. “And we hope to have a fenced area near the barn to allow us to let the dogs play outside.”
How the Program Restarted
Komers got interested in the program while she was doing her hands-on student teacher training while at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
“I went to different ag programs in the county during student teaching,” explained Komers. “My experience came from the Oakland High School grooming program. I was able to get the experience there on how it functions, payments, and more.”
“Pretty much along the same lines for me,” said Smith, “only at Stewart’s Creek High School instead of Oakland. And I have been a dog sitter on the side, on my own. So, I have had experience with that, plus owning dogs at home. I have four.”
Program Needs to Expand
Expansion of the program will require more equipment and supplies. Supplies they need to expand the program include several sets of electric rechargeable clippers, dog baths, and an air dryer. They are looking at both hand-held and bubble-type walk-in air dryers. Big dog tub basins with a ramp are great as they can be filled from a water faucet through a detachable hose, and keep the kids from having to lift large dogs. Some hoses even have attachments where shampoo or conditioner can be added allowing them to go into the water as the dog is being washed. Technology has developed a lot in the grooming business.
“I’d love to be able to take two a day, every day,” said Komer, “because right now the double or triple bookings are from dogs within the same household. They are already bonded. Personally, I get nervous taking in dogs from different households and putting them together, especially our first year. But, I would love to build it to where we could have multiple dogs from different households every day.”
Smith and Komers’ Background
Smith’s love for the dogs she grew up with led her to go from receiving her Associates Degree from Motlow State Community College to study Pre-Veterinary Medicine in Animal Science at MTSU. Realizing that Veterinary Medicine wasn’t the route for her, she decided to keep studying Animal Science, drop the Pre-Vet and minor in secondary education, which led her to where she is now. Smith teaches Agri-Science and Vet Science to first-and fourth-year students.
Komers studied Plant and Soil Science at MTSU, and she later added secondary education. Her professor, Chaney Mosley, inspired her to get her degree in secondary education. Her late father had a hobby farm with corn, rabbits, chickens and horses, which got her interested in exploring a profession in agriculture. And in middle school she developed a deep interest in science. Once she got to Smyrna High School, they had an agriculture program where she worked in the greenhouse and learned a lot about plant science. She fell in love with it. Komers teaches small and large animal science.
“I’d spend all my free time in the greenhouse,” said Komers. “Which is why I chose to go locally to MTSU. They have two great greenhouses.”
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