Corridor Therapy Dogs

I am a special education teacher at Linn-Mar high school and I teach students with autism. I have had the extreme pleasure of having the Corridor Therapy Dogs come out at least once a year to visit our students. Contacting Janet is always so easy and she is very accommodating to our group. She normally brings 3 to 6 groups of dogs and their handlers. I can honestly say that the adults get just as much out of the experience as the students do. It is a delight to see my students' faces light up when many times there is not much enjoyment with the day-to-day class activities. But when the therapy dogs are visiting, it is a completely different story. There are smiles, giggles, joy and a real connection between my students and the dogs. They are a true pleasure to have and I wish we could have them visit every month.

Tony Nevett and Danny the Greyhound visit our special school every week in Corby Northamptonshire. The children can't wait for Danny's day they really look forward to it.The school caters for pupils aged 4- 18 years with learning and behaviour difficulties. These problems impact on their learning. Many have difficulty managing their own behaviour, often they have difficulties with their reading and are unable to read at age appropriate levels. Danny curls up with each child who wants to read to him and he listens. He isn't judgemental the children don't feel any pressure. They stroke his head, they tickle his ear as they read their book. Sometimes they don't want to stop, they keep on reading. Danny doesn't mind, if a child want s to read Danny will always listen. The results have been fantastic! Children have become much more fluent and as a result their comprehension improves. But just as important is the improvement in their self confidence and self esteem. They can walk tall, they realise they can do it! Its not just the reading Danny provides a therapeutic support. When a child is in crisis, when they struggle to control their own actions, Danny is there. He senses it before the adults do. He knows when a child needs help and he's there. Children tell him their problems, the issues, what's troubling them and he helps them to work through the problems, he teaches them to cope and to move on. If a young person is unable to talk to an adult about a problem they will nearly always tell Danny. They know he will listen, they know he won't judge them and most of all they know he can help them. Thank you Danny, thank you so much Tony for giving up your time every week to bring Danny to school. We can't wait for your next visit.