Sensory Friendly Learning; A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc

I am Jeannie Bolstridge, a retired teacher and founder of this non-profit. While supporting local teachers with their K-2 remedial students since 2008, I founded a 501 (c)(3) Georgia Educational charity. This non-profit's mission is to strengthen and encourage “different” learners at a young age so that they can carry basic academic skills with them as they progress through school. Dogs Help Kids, Inc has a growing Board of Directors presently comprised of retired teachers and business owners. Our advisory board includes our CPA, veterinarian, school psychologist, and other retired teachers. One of several interventions we support is the value of dogs to help some children. Canine Assistive Technology is a young intervention that is accepted in many states, but not recognized yet in Georgia. Action Research would be a welcome and wonderful next step for CAT in Georgia to scientifically prove its effectiveness.

There are too many young children between the ages of 5 to 10 who are turned off to school because they realize that they just can't keep up with their peers. If these children give up on their education now, where will they be in 5-10 years from now? Some retired teachers saw this need. Enter our Max the Dog;These children gave up their recesses to practice reading their Advanced Reading books to a dog. Not only did Max seem to listen carefully to them, but they enjoyed their reading more as they squeezed, rubbed, and laid on this dog.

Sensory Friendly Learning; A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc

Sensory Friendly Learning; A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc

During the 2010-2011 school year, I gave 20 hours weekly going into the Ben Hill Primary school and supporting the teachers who have invited Max and I into their classrooms. Max and I have provided 1:1 tutoring to those students identified by their teachers as being their most needy students in the areas of basic reading, math, and social skills. Dogs Help Kids, Inc. is a member of the national R.E.A.D. Program. However, we differ in the major protocol that we ask the teachers how they would like us to tutor their children. We do not supply materials; we come only to support teachers and strengthen the students to give them the best chance at success.

Below is a Sample of our weekly schedule:

Monday ScheduleFirst Grade Teachers and Students

8:00-8:30 Dog Training at home 8:30-8:45 Gunter: Anaria 8:45-9:00 Sutton: Amber 9:00-9:15 Sutton: Jamie 9:15-9:30 Neal: Darriet

9:30-9:45 Neal: Luke 9:45-10:00 Slaven: Johnnie

10:00-10:15 Stokes: RaJon 10:15-10:30 Peck: Chloe

10:30-10:45 Stokes: Ricky 10:45-11:00 Silva-Nash: Cole 1:15-1:30 Jay: EIP student 1:30-1:45 Jay: EIP student

1:45-2:00 Barrs: Shemar 2:00-2:30 IEP service: Kiley and

Max under Marcus School BCBA guidelines

Sensory Friendly Learning; A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc

Our educational toolbag consists of the following practices:

-Identifying young students with learning differences and providing 1:1 tutoring during the school day.-Protocols from the developmental approach of DIR/Floortime, Dr. Stanley Greenspan.-Canine Assisted Therapy incorporated into the student's school.-Therapeutic Carting; Something New ! Our therapeutic canine carting model is almost identical to many of the therapeutic riding centers around the country. Our modulated protocols are consistent with the American Hippotherapy Association and NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). Although the dynamics of therapeutic riding are different from therapeutic dog carting, our exercises offer a variety of learning modules.This is why tutoring with canine assisted therapy can be a valuable intervention with learners who have ADHD or are on the Autism spectrum. This setup could be done in an inside gym as well as outside.

Sensory Friendly Learning; A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc