School Therapy Dogs
School Therapy Dogs
School Counseling Social/Emotional Goals
School Counseling Social/Emotional Goals
I have several students that work with Copper on Social/Emtional Goals. To measure results for this program I have a pre/post intervention questionaire that the parents/guardian and classroom teacher complete.
There are 5 primary steps that Copper and I follow in this program.
1. Dog Communications - the student learns about basic dog body language. We watch a video of dogs playing and then discuss human communications. What message does our body language or words send to others - including Copper.
2. Dog Care - In this section, the student become responsible for Copper's water, brushing and equipment. They learn how to put on and take off the harness, vest and leashes.
3. Basic Dog Training - Student learn about clicker training and basic commands in the Rally Program.
4. Rally Course - Together we watch teams compete in Rally Obedience. I then set up a very basic Rally course for Copper and the student to go through.
5. Class Presentation/Parting Gift - the last session is spent in the students' classroom where they demonstrate working with Copper. Copper provides the student a certificate and picture of them working together.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
I am very fortunate to have an outstanding OT professional working at our school. We have just started to work together. The OT professional leads the session with the student. Copper and I support her work in motivating the student to complete the physical tasks.
Classroom Environment
Classroom Environment
Copper was asked to attend a math class where several students were displaying anxiety. Behaviors included crawling under tables, multiple requests for bathroom breaks and crying. We asked students to fill out a simple 5 point scale of how much they like math class for pre-post data. Copper then spent 10-15 minutes each week helping to "teach" math. As an example, Copper would demonstrate 180 degrees by rolling over for a belly rub. A 360 degree role brought him back to his tummy. He would visit students in the class as they were working. They could pet him while reading the math question out loud to him and telling him how they were going to solve it. At the end of 6 weeks we saw significant reductions in negative behaviors and an increase in how much student now liked math class.
We hope that after Copper continues attending math class, student math scores will improve. Copper is also available while students are testing. Students can pet Copper during this time. We have also seen success when the student reads the question aloud to Copper and then verbally explains how they are trying to solve the equation.
Focus/Attention Goals
Focus/Attention Goals
Twice a year, I send a needs survey out to teachers to align my work with their classroom needs. Recently, I have had significant feedback to work with students on focus and attention goals. A therapist at Summit Stone (Larimer County Mental Health) suggested I look at Simon Says Pay Attention developed by Daniel and Marcie Yeager. I am now integrating Copper into the games and exercises outlined in this program.
Small Group - Blending Families
Small Group - Blending Families
Copper is worn out. He has been puppy sitting his 10 month-old 1/2 brother and sister for the past 5 days. The stories about this adventure are being woven into a lesson for a group of students who are experiencing the ups and downs of blending families. What did Copper do when his sister took his favorite toy? What about when his brother chased away his BFF, Jackson the cat? How did he teach them to guard the chickens and learn the rules at the farm? These questions generate discussions that can be transferred to experiences of students in the group.
Anxiety / Worry Group
Anxiety / Worry Group
One of the most common groups I have at school is my Worry Group. We discuss where Copper feels stress in his body and coping skills we use to shrink our worries and move forward. Since dogs live in the moment, working with Copper is a wonderful match for Mindfulness activities
Therapy VS Interventions
AAT VS AAI
Therapy VS Interventions
AAT VS AAI
When I am working with a student at school and the student has a specific goal, I use the term AAI Animal-Assisted Intervention or AAE Animal-Assisted Education. When I am talking with school staff or parents, I use the term AAI for my counseling / social-emotional programming and AAE for my academic programming.
The term "therapy" is not used in a school counseling model. However, when working with professionals outside the school setting AAT or Animal-Assisted Therapy is the term used when a client has a specific goal they are working on with a professional and a therapy dog.
R.E.A.D. Program
Reading Retriever
R.E.A.D. Program
Reading Retriever
If you are interested in having students read to your dog, then you need to contact Intermountain Therapy Animals.
They have put together an excellent, research-based reading intervention program called Reading Education Assitance Dogs or
R.E.A.D.
Working in a school with an RtI process is ideal for referral of students into a R.E.A.D. program and documentation.
I am a member of our Problem Solving Team. This is a group of school professionals that meet to discuss students who are struggling in school. I have seen the best results when there is a combination of struggles in reading and issues with low self-esteem. Using data from Dibels testing, I can document improvements in fluency and comprehension.
Each time Copper reads with a student, he or she reads the story to Copper, retells what happened and then picks a vocab word for Copper. Depending on the specific reading goal for the student, I tailor how much time we spend on each area.
Copper also presents the student with a bookmark at their first session. Each time they read or complete a book, they select a sticker to put on their bookmark.