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Here at The Calais School, “The Dog Days of Summer” may not mean what you think. When many of us are enjoying the lazy, hazy dog days of summer, our Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) dogs are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to jump into their next ESY (Extended School Year) project with students.
Several of our dogs had a full schedule this summer as Animal Assisted Interventions were incorporated into various aspects of ESY from related services and counseling to classroom support and art lessons.
In particular, Bella spent time with Ms. Orna and her art students when she modeled for the students as they practiced free-hand portraits. Throughout the summer, Bella worked with our student artists on other goal-oriented art lessons.
Star and Bella also worked alongside students in our BARK (Be A Reading Kid) program. BARK integrates therapy dogs in a way that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence. For some students, BARK helped them reach specific reading goals while other students focused on building confidence when reading aloud. Reading to a friendly, nonjudgmental dog reduces feelings of anxiety and makes reading enjoyable. Bella and Star love listening to our students as they read out loud.
Brady, one of our newer therapy dogs, spent the summer acclimating to the school and practicing her task work. She also spent time observing Occupational Therapy sessions and getting familiar with the rooms she will be working in this school year. Throughout the summer, students and staff got to know Brady a little better as she greeted ESY students each morning and sent them off each afternoon.
Here’s Brady adjusting to her new environment at Calais.
All of our therapy dogs are gearing up for the new school year with a variety of task work using manipulatives like rolling dice, reading cards, ringing bells and pressing buzzers/buttons. Tasks allow the dogs to communicate with students and staff and assist students as they work to reach IEP goals during sessions.
Star (left) and Dior practice balance and stability.
Our four-legged friends sure are busy, but it’s not all work and no play. The school’s therapy dogs get their necessary breaks with plenty of fresh air and play in the Calais School AAI Paw Park. Commemorated during our National Therapy Animal Day celebration in April 2021- the paw park is a specially designated area for our dogs to run free and play with various dog friendly toys.
