During a reading session for a special needs child, the child may struggle to read aloud, but then one of the dogs from the Calais School’s Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) Program comes to sit with the child. The child smiles and pets the dog and then begins to read aloud to his canine companion.

Down the hall at the school, a special needs student is stressed and is having difficulty expressing her emotions. Then a dog from the Animal Assisted Intervention Program comes to assist and the girl strokes the dog’s fur and tells the dog what is bothering her. Afterwards, she is more relaxed and able to better express her feelings and discuss them with the counselor.

The Calais School AAI Program is making a difference in the lives of special needs children at the Calais School every day. Our AAI dogs are working with students in occupational therapy, counseling, speech, reading, and social skills building. Their efforts have made major breakthroughs in student motivation, compliance, and participation during therapeutic sessions.

“The AAI dogs gave my son a new perspective and helped him focus on school,” said parent Angela E. “He would focus for a whole session of speech or an activity. The AAI Program is a great program which I hope continues and expands.”

The Animal Assisted Therapies currently offered at Calais are helping students feel confident, safe, and empowered. In order to continue this trajectory of impact the AAI program must expand its scope and accessibility. The Calais School needs your assistance so that we can reach more students.

This holiday season please consider giving back to students with special needs by donating to The Calais School Animal Assisted Intervention Program. Your donation is critical to securing additional AAI handlers and dogs so we can support more students. Your pledge will also allow us to implement new modalities including crisis management, Animal Assisted Medical Education, physical therapy, and virtual access. Your support is more important than ever.

To make an online donation please click here!

We appreciate your generosity and wish you and yours all the joys of the holiday season.