Rock Run ElementaryTherapy Dog Proposal

Susan Jones, Jill Fett, &

Ginger Williams

Purpose for the Dog

1. Increase empathy and compassion among students by using the dog to teach guidance lessons and provide support in small group settings.

2. Decrease retaliatory violence and improve students’ self esteem. By using the dog as a reward for positive behavior in place of the aggressive violent behavior, we hope to lessen the need for administrative involvement.

Purpose for the Dog ~ continued

3. Help students stay connected with their peers in social situations in small and large group settings by giving students a common bond.

4. Reduce anxiety levels and help children decompress after traumatic circumstances or events such as divorce, death in the family, etc.

5. Improve reading skills and increase confidence and literary interest by allowing students to read without judgment or correction from peers and teachers.

Purpose for the Dog ~ Video Support

Therapy Dogs for Calming the Classroom

Therapy Dogs for Reading

Why Do We Need a Dog at Rock Run?

There are several students at Rock Run right now that have aggressive tendencies, high anxiety, and emotional challenges that affect their learning and the learning of others in the classroom.

A therapy dog gives us another tool to help kids in crisis.

Rules/Boundaries for Use with Kids

❖ The dog will always be accompanied by a handler/teacher

❖ The dog will have a set area as a home base to rest and recharge

❖ The handlers will guide kids in their interactions with the dog

❖ The dog will always be clean and well-kept

❖ The dog will have a designated parking area outside

❖ The dog will be available to ALL staff and students!! :)

Guidelines for use with Kids❖ Students will be introduced to the dog through classroom guidance lessons

❖ Students will be taught rules about how to approach and treat the dog

❖ Students will be given a choice and not forced to touch the dog until

comfortable

❖ Lessons will be developed for use in general education as well as during

guidance lessons on bullying, tolerance, hygiene and the 7 Habits

❖ The dog will not be used when its safety is compromised.

❖ ALL students and staff will benefit from time with the dog as a reward for

positive behavior, academic achievement, or displaying leadership qualities

Dog Training❖ The dog would be trained by the prisoners at the

Newton Correctional Facility.❖ The Warden will oversee the training of the dog to

Leader Dog Standards (which are higher than any therapy dog standards that we have researched)

❖ Carol Kirkbride (Leader Dog Trainer for the State of Iowa) will select the dog that will be used in our school.)

❖ Prisoners will train all the handlers for proper commands and training at the prison when the dog is ready.

How will the dog be chosen?

Carol Kirkbride, the Leader Dog Program Coordinator for the state of Iowa, will help us select the dog. Carol has been in our school with her leader dogs for the past 14 years. Carol has provided a huge amount of knowledge to us during our research into this venture. She knows several of our staff as well as students, and we feel will be the most able to give advice on the best fit dog for our school.

Program FundingOur therapy dog program will be funded through Mrs. Jones’s 4th grade store, as well as, the annual Kennel Club lunch/fundraiser.

The warden and the prisoners from the Newton Correctional Facility have donated the $4,000 back to Rock Run to help fund the startup of this program.

Community members, as well as school staff, have committed to donations and support toward our program.

Program funding will be utilized for general care of the dog, including food, grooming, and medical costs.

Handler Training

The Newton Correctional Facility will not only train the dogs, but they will also train handlers on learning commands for the dogs. Staff members wanting to be trained include:

Susan Jones - Owner/Handler Mike Swartzendruber - Handler

Ginger Williams - Therapy Handler Jill Fett - Reading Handler

❖ Trish Lee, Jos Lubbers, Tammy Merklin, Sheli Duit are all willing to help with dog responsibilities throughout the day.

❖ Caring for the dog may be a Leadership Role for student(s).

Day in the Life of the Service Therapy DogThe dog will be based in Mrs. Jones’s 4th grade classroom for the majority of the day.

Times will be scheduled with Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Duit, and Mrs. Fett.

Reward times can be scheduled for time spent with students.

Pull out for an as needed basis. (Mr. Swartzendruber)

Babysitting services provided by Mrs. Lubbers and Mrs. Lee .

4th Grade Puppy Program

Questions

❖ Insurance❖ Training Costs❖ Board Policy

Thank You!