Program

The process:

A school staff member (teacher, administrator, guidance counselor) identifies a child that is having some difficulty either emotionally, physically, or cognitively. They determine that the child would benefit from animal assisted therapy.

The school staff member discusses this intervention with the child’s parent/guardian and obtains permission for the child to be involved in animal assisted therapy with Coach Dog, Inc.

The Coach Dog, Inc. director, the school staff member and the volunteer handler with their certified pet, meet to develop a plan that address the individual needs of the child. The goals are clearly spelled out (increase confidence, talk about feelings, reduce anger toward others) and activities are planned to meet those goals (writing in a journal, writing letters to the dog, teaching the dog a new trick).

The team meets again in four to six weeks to check on the progress of the child and to determine the next course of action.

The best part:

A child meets a dog who is always glad to see him. The dog shows up at the child's school every week and they work on things together. They talk and they draw and they both learn new tricks. The child feels special, smiles more, does better in school, makes friends more easily, shares feelings with a trusted friend. It’s magic and it works. We've seen it!