Each week, in an instructor-led, curriculum-driven program, 12 middle school students, and 3 therapy dog teams work together. One week its commands, then tricks, food puzzles and agility. We discuss animal shelters and second chances, resilience, breed discrimination and stereotyping -- topics that often resonate with the student's own life experience.

 

Honest and non-judgmental, the dogs make it safe for the kids to let their guard down and learn about themselves and each other in new ways that help them succeed both in and out of school. As the dogs love and listen to them, they see that they are lovable too and can succeed