I am about to push the issue of therapy dogs being allowed in the classroom. I understand fully about fears of allergies and distractions but I feel the good weighs out the bad.
Studies have been shown that by bringing dogs into the classroom it may help children to enhance the capacity to form close relationships with each other. That certain emotions bring with them a racing heart or neurological impulse that signals the brain.
Think about a child who is fearful of speaking out loud, by simply petting a dog it may give him or her a sense of security and his or her classmates a feeling of joy.We may have excellent teachers,the perfect classroom settings but no one interviews each child to see if they are compatible.
I know from personal experience when my daughter(who has mild aspergers) was in school in second grade if someone whispered while looking at her she got upset. "Were they talking about her? or just telling each other a funny joke?" Dogs can give us a sense of self worth and calmness.They alone know how the rules go in interacting with each other, there are no exceptions only order.
They don't look at each other and say"oh look how dirty marshals face is lets not play with him today." They go and lick Marshal's face, jump to his side and encourage him to play.
Why dogs in the classroom? why not? Anything to break the ice to encourage unity, the classroom can be like a big party fun but full of strangers Unless you are an extrovert this is like a pit of sand and you will sink at any moment.
I am about to start researching and writing a book about bullying and the use of therapy dogs to break the cycle. If you have a story about you or a family member that was bullied I would like to hear from you.
My email is jssrl123@msn.com NO SPAM MAIL please! This is a serious venture and a chance for you to help make a difference. Thank You
Studies have been shown that by bringing dogs into the classroom it may help children to enhance the capacity to form close relationships with each other. That certain emotions bring with them a racing heart or neurological impulse that signals the brain.
Think about a child who is fearful of speaking out loud, by simply petting a dog it may give him or her a sense of security and his or her classmates a feeling of joy.We may have excellent teachers,the perfect classroom settings but no one interviews each child to see if they are compatible.
I know from personal experience when my daughter(who has mild aspergers) was in school in second grade if someone whispered while looking at her she got upset. "Were they talking about her? or just telling each other a funny joke?" Dogs can give us a sense of self worth and calmness.They alone know how the rules go in interacting with each other, there are no exceptions only order.
They don't look at each other and say"oh look how dirty marshals face is lets not play with him today." They go and lick Marshal's face, jump to his side and encourage him to play.
Why dogs in the classroom? why not? Anything to break the ice to encourage unity, the classroom can be like a big party fun but full of strangers Unless you are an extrovert this is like a pit of sand and you will sink at any moment.
I am about to start researching and writing a book about bullying and the use of therapy dogs to break the cycle. If you have a story about you or a family member that was bullied I would like to hear from you.
My email is jssrl123@msn.com NO SPAM MAIL please! This is a serious venture and a chance for you to help make a difference. Thank You
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