The Calais School, a private school for special needs children in Whippany, is proud to provide the first BEADS OF COURAGE® program pilot for emotional support in an educational setting.

The BEADS OF COURAGE® programs use beads as visible and tangible art forms that carry intention. Beads of Courage believes that every time a bead is given courage is honored, suffering is alleviated, resilience is strengthened, and the experience of human caring is affirmed.

The inspirational program will be implemented through the Calais School’s Animal Assisted Interventions program. As students at Calais work with the school’s Animal Assisted Interventions dogs and handlers in various related service areas, the beads will be used to help the children share their stories of courage. The school’s counselors, therapists and teachers will play an integral role in the program.

“We want to thank Beads of Courage for working with the Calais School on this innovative and groundbreaking pilot project,” said Calais Executive Director David Leitner. “We look forward to working with them and our therapists to make this initiative a great success.”

The program will help students discuss overcoming challenges and reinforce their bravery and courage, according to Calais Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator Tiffany Shevchik. The benefits of BEADS OF COURAGE®  include focusing on the positive aspects of difficult and challenging experiences, increasing social support as we recognize students for their achievements and helping students with coping skills.

“The beads are not a reward, but rather a symbol of courage, strength and kindness and they serve to help students share their stories,” noted Ms. Shevchik. “The program will also help bridge relationships between staff and students and become an instrument of caring and healing.”

The initiative is a program of Beads of Courage, Inc. dba Center for Arts in Nursing. Beads of Courage, Inc is non-profit organization, headquartered in Tucson, AZ, that provides programs worldwide to support the psychosocial and emotional well-being of children, youth, and people who care for them in their community.

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