What Teachers and Therapists Say
“There is no way that I can concisely identify the seemingly endless positive effects the Facility Dog Program has had on our students, our staff, and the building overall. Students have experienced the following and MUCH, MUCH more:
- motivation to push through difficult academic tasks (tricks with assistance dog as reward)
- self-monitoring of volume (more aware of voice volume when dog is in the room)
- sensory regulation (walks with dog, brushing, petting, laying on her)
- empathy as a comrade (re: processing time, needing breaks, needing things scaffolded in order to learn a new skill)
- increased attention on task at hand. Bingo’s presence means that students have more quick breaks to pet her/do tricks.
- students are more “on task” during lessons to earn breaks
- motivation to push through difficult academic tasks (tricks with assistance dog as reward)
- self-monitoring of volume (more aware of voice volume when dog is in the room)
- sensory regulation (walks with dog, brushing, petting, laying on her)
- empathy as a comrade (re: processing time, needing breaks, needing things scaffolded in order to learn a new skill)
- increased attention on task at hand. Bingo’s presence means that students have more quick breaks to pet her/do tricks.
- students are more “on task” during lessons to earn breaks
- Special Education Teacher
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“I think Bingo’s impact on the students is amazing. Seeing the kids react with patience and discipline in their speech sessions is wonderful. Along with improving their speech, students have learned how to behave around a dog, and Bingo comforts them. Students treasure their Bingo time."
- Speech Pathologist
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“I particularly like the way that early readers, often insecure in their abilities, willingly read to Bingo. They know they will have her total and nonjudgmental acceptance.” I have found the interactive reading sessions with a service dog to be an amazingly positive experience for middle and junior high students as well. Regardless of age, the students respond well, are more relaxed, and read with greater proficiency in their sessions with her."
- Reading Specialist
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“A junior high student who is often sullen and passive during his therapy sessions was animated and very focused during his session with Bingo. He worked well with step-by-step directions and noticed how Bingo was responding to his interactions. This student’s voice was uncharacteristically light and playful and he was also physically relaxed.”
- Occupational Therapist
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“I have heard students make amazing connections to how they are feeling or what behavior they are seeing around them and relate it to interactions that they have with Bingo. I think the students have learned that respect can take many different shapes. Having students share their written work has been a huge gain for them, especially those that struggle with writing.”
- Special Education Teacher
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“My students who struggle with interpersonal relationships have been notably more social and outgoing when working with a service dog. Students with anxiety have been much less so when Bingo was part of their occupational therapy sessions. Those working with impulsivity have also reigned in this behavior with Bingo.”
- Social Worker
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“A student who lost his own dog last year, as well as one of his parents, enjoyed working with Bingo very much. He is routinely very disorganized and unable to follow multi-step directions without losing focus. He has trouble persevering if he misses a step. This student came up with a project for his class. Students used lunch time to make dog toys that were subsequently tested by Bingo to determine canine interest. This required the student’s ability to evaluate the features of the toys for size, shape, texture and appeal, characteristics that are often difficult for him to discern or articulate. These actions improved his focus, mood and motivation during therapy sessions. The dog toys made were donated to an animal shelter.”
- Occupational Therapist
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“A student with extreme anxiety about reading was able to read out loud to an audience of parents for the first time because a service dog was by her side”.
- Special Education Teacher
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“The students look forward to her visits and eagerly wait for their opportunity to spend time with Bingo. I have heard students speak to her as if she were another classmate. Recently a student described how Bingo practices “mindfulness”. My only wish is to have Karin and Bingo here full time!”
- Social Worker
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