1 Therapy Dogs are “Paws”itively Effective!Lovable Tolerant

2 Jennifer Biggar & Dakota [email protected]The Perfect Combination: Professional School Counselors and Therapy Dogs Lisa Schmidli & Trebek Jennifer Biggar & Dakota

3 Get the Ball Rolling... Inform school administration of your desire to become a therapy dog handler. Address any questions or concerns he/she may have. Cost to the District Varies Insurance ASCA, MNEA, MSTA, MUSIC (MO United School Insurance Council) Allergies Due to the pristine hygiene of these animals, the hair and dander is no worse than what students carry on their clothes or backpacks. Be proactive and contact parents who may have concerns. (Check with the school nurse.) Plan accommodations, if needed.

4 Get the Ball Rolling… Contact CARES (Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education & Services), Concordia, KS Complete required documentation and send a$50 application fee. There is usually a month waiting list; patience is crucial.

5 Get the Ball Rolling… Begin saving and/or fundraisingEstimated initial cost Week long training in Concordia, KS, including cost of dog ... $2500 5-night stay in Concordia, KS (Holiday Inn Express is recommended; however, Super 8 is more economical)... approximately $650 Estimated ongoing yearly cost food, treats, flea treatments, heartworm medicine, routine veterinary care, grooming, boarding, vest (activedogs.com), supplies for school day... $1600

6 Get the Ball Rolling… Our Funding ScenariosLisa & Trebek – former school district purchased No initial out-of-pocket cost. Approximately $1600 per year for dog care. Jennifer & Dakota –self-funded Initial out-of-pocket expense - $4000 in first months Training Hotel Travel & Food Additional Funding Scenarios Local Bank and Business Donations Schoolwide Pennies For Paws fundraiser News coverage leads to anonymous donor

7 Get the Ball Rolling… Prepare and Educate the staff and communityAddress concerns Set Expectations Show your appreciation Dog-themed goodies (Scooby snacks, paw print notepad, lint brush…) Advocate!

8 How CARES Works Extensive training and numerous tests are conducted prior to becoming a Canine Assistance Team CARES dogs are bred to be service/therapy dogs Puppy foster raisers play vital role Temperament Testing – 8 weeks Command and Task training – Ellsworth Correctional Facility Rehabilitation program for inmates Must have one year without disciplinary notation on file Complete an application and interview process prior to acceptance to work with the dogs Recognized for their role at a graduation attended by the Canine Assistance Team

9 How CARES Works Additional SocializationCARES staff, reform school students, foster puppy raisers Handler training week long classes on nutrition, grooming, dog psychology, preparation for the Pubic Access Test Public Access Test (following a week-long training with the handler) preschools, nursing homes, restaurants, Wal-Mart, local mall

10 How CARES Works There is no guarantee on the breed or sex of the dog that you will receive. Most therapy dogs from CARES are Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers. All CARES litters are named according to a theme (i.e. game show hosts – Trebek, Sajak, Vanna...Midwest schools - Dakota, Tabor, Sterling...comedians - Leno, Kimmel, Fallon) The week of training culminates with a graduation.

11 We’re Home…Now What? Introduce your new partner to the staff and student body Set boundaries early Share your dog’s “story” Send home informational pamphlet Make a post on your school's webpage Publicize

12 Utilizing Therapy Dogs in the School Setting

13 Ice Breaker Rapport BuildingSchool personnel with dog are more approachable, less threatening. Petting the dog opens up the opportunity for other conversation as well. Therapy dog’s presence helps relieve separation anxiety

14 Reading Enhancement Therapy dogs listen unconditionally, never correcting or criticizing the material being read. Therapy dogs are non-judgmental; therefore, non-threatening to the child and can help build confidence.

15 Motivational Purposes Reward Appropriate BehaviorRewards may be given for students showing academic improvement, modeling positive behaviors, displaying good character, etc. This is left to the teachers’ discretion. Trebek/Dakota Time -approximately minutes of grooming, walking, playing fetch, or just talking. Laminated bone example; “Behavior Chart”; punch card Dog Handler badge

16 Writing Enhancement Trebek/Dakota Mail – Students may ask questions, share concerns, write stories, or create artwork. Use Bulletin Boards to display students’ letters and artwork. Therapy dogs are non-judgmental; therefore, non-threatening to students.

17 Character Education The dog is an excellent tool to model behaviors.Opens discussion of monthly character traits RESPECT * TRUSTWORTHINESS * COMPASSION * GRATITUDE * CITIZENSHIP Respect – Therapy dogs do not jump or kiss (lick) without being invited to do so. Personal Space Camp Responsibility Discuss care of pets. Special Service student empties Trebek’s mailbox every Friday. Fifth grade students deliver Trebek’s mail on Mondays.

18 Character Education…continuedTolerance – Therapy dogs give unconditional acceptance regardless of academic grades, race, social abilities, or struggles with family and friends. Citizenship – bulletin board “Paws-itively” Great Citizens (students’ names on bones) Compassion –Therapy dogs sense emotional needs. Hurt students in the nurse’s office often get visits. Therapy dogs will not leave a crying or anxious child. Therapy dogs comfort autistic children during storms and drills.

19 Hygiene Relate therapy dog’s daily appearance with students’ daily grooming needs. Large group – discuss therapy dog care early in the school year during class time. Show grooming tools and their use. Use fair sticks for grooming privileges during classroom videos. Individuals – brushing teeth, clipping nails, cleaning ears & eyes, brushing hair, changing clothes (bandana) daily, etc.

20 Speech Incentive Speech implementers may use therapy dogs as needed for individual speech improvement through oral commands and vocalization. A therapy dog’s response to a speech student’s oral command gives an immediate reward which helps the student gain confidence. Some therapy dogs also follows hand signals. These can be taught to non-verbal students.

21 Occupational & Physical Therapy IncentivesSpecial Service paraprofessionals and therapists may use Therapy Dogs as needed when reinforcing a student's therapeutic goals. Walking incentive Tying bandana Buckling the harness “Brace”

22 Behavior Model Therapy dogs are well behaved and may be used to model appropriate listening skills and direction following. Classroom volume may “hurt” the therapy dog's ears. Therapy dog walks beside you and does not try to “cut” in line. Therapy dogs may be trained to walk on specific “lines” in the hallway.

23 Behavior Control Explosive students may take the therapy dog for a walk before a full-blown “meltdown” occurs. Dakota also will have some cuddle time in the cool down cubbies in the counseling office. Explosive students like being “in control” of the therapy dog and then become “in control” of their own actions more quickly. Play “tug”

24 Stress Relief Studies show that petting a dog actually lowers blood pressure. Teachers often stop in during plan time or after school to decompress with the therapy dog. Interacting with pets may help ease depression. Students with test anxiety may take their test with a therapy dog in close proximity.

25 Physical Fitness All dogs love to go for walks!Inactive students or overweight students may earn extra time to walk around the track or exercise with the therapy dog. Murphy Meets the Treadmill

26 Service Learning Paw It Forward examplesDog toys made from old t-shirts Form of recycling Responsibility of collecting, sorting, predicting, charting, tallying Family activity (braiding) Towel drive Newspaper drive Contact your local animal shelter for specific needs

27 Multi-Lingual Therapy dogs may assist with language barriers. Students of all nationalities speak “dog”. Therapy dogs may aid and comfort non-English speaking students as they adapt to their new educational environment.

28 Social Media Use social media outlets to post therapy dog information, photos from school events, upcoming dates,testing tips… Facebook Twitter

29 Crisis Counseling Therapy dogs may be utilized, as needed, at all district buildings, neighboring school districts, and public entities. Aftermath of deaths Suicides Teacher/Student teacher Car accident s Family illnesses Pets Aftermath of natural disasters Joplin

30 Miscellaneous Therapy dogs help fulfill some autistic students’ sensory diet. Students may touch his fur, pads of his feet, ears, nose, gums, etc. Note that those with sensitivity to smells, may be offended by a dog's scent. Therapy dogs alert to crying. Therapy dogs sense emotional needs. Therapy dogs and their handlers model a healthy and respectful relationship between humans and animals. Students learn the importance of praise when a command is followed.

31 Always Have Fun!!!

32 Q & A

33 For Additional InformationFeel free to contact Jennifer Biggar & Dakota and Lisa Schmidli & Trebek