Any person can have a learning disorder since most are biologically based, and many of which remain undiagnosed into adulthood. Our certified counselors and teachers and can help people with learning disorders, or behavior problems which may be rooted in frustration with learning.
For example; the child who falls behind in reading, mixes up his letters, hates spelling because he or she doesn't do well and doesn't seem to be able to do any better, and yet might cope by memorizing verbally (dyslexia). Or the child who, no matter how she or he tries, can't write letters correctly or on the line, and yet can draw perfectly well, and who also often mixes up left and right (dysgraphia). Perhaps you were the child who just couldn't do math right, kept writing the numbers backwards, become confused and couldn't keep them in a column (dyscalcula).
Often these children feel inadequate, eventually avoid school work and then just stop trying. Sometimes their frustration and feelings of being inferior come out in avoidant behaviors, i.e. acting out during reading time so they won't have to read in front of the class. (By the way, please excuse any errors on this web site - the author is dysgraphic. See? You're not alone!)
Theraputic Reading Dogs
There are many ways to work with learning disorders and the behaviors that may accompany them. Each method may be as unique as the person.
Often one-on-one teaching, using the many tried-and-true methods, new discoveries as well as a little creativity is optimal. Sometimes children, and even adults, like to pair up so that they know they're not alone.
Therapy dogs have also been very helpful and have been used in many reading programs across the country. They are an unconditional audience, they are patient, don't care about mistakes, and they are a reward in themselves. Children (teens and adults, even) look foreward to the reading time, rather then dreading it.
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Education & School Visits
Have a certified teacher visit your school with a registered therapy canine. Therapy dogs are well trained and well mannered canines who love children and can have a very positive effect on your class in many ways. Check out our "endangered species" program!
Our curriculm inclludes:
Endangered Species - the Wolf Add some reality to your endangered species class with a visit from Akela, who is part wolf and the friendliest canine around. In fact, he is a therapy dog and in training as a service dog. He will help defuse some of the myths about wolves and is a living reminder of how humans and animals can work together for the betterment of all.
How the Wolf Became the Chihuahua Did you know that all dogs are decended from the wolf? Even the little chihuahua! Learn about how humans selected specific traints in the wolf to create the dog breeds that we have today.
The Myth of the Big Bad Wolf Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Just about everybody. But in all of history no one has been killed by a wolf in the United States. In reality these animals are timid, peace-loving, have a complicated communication and social structure. Find out how these myths developed and made many species of wolf endangered or extinct. Who knows...you might actually meet one!
Canine Language - or how to speak "dog" Did you know that the canine actually has an extensive language that usually goes unnoticed by humans? Did you know that dogs can laugh? Learn about "calming signals" and how canines communicate to keep the peace, much better than humans do!
Therapy dog Visits for Regular Ed and ESE Classes
Our registered therapy dogs have visited many places and love to visit children in school. Many studies show that children who learn to take care of a dog are quicker to develop social skills and empathy. Therapy dog visits can inspire good behavior and is a great way to end the week!
"Reading Dogs" - dogs who can read, and the children who read to them. It's true - this dog can read! Even better, he likes for children to read to him. This is a great way to inspire your young readers and to help those who are struggling. After all, the dog likes you no matter how you pronounce the word.
So if you feel alone and think you can succeed, here are just a few examples of the many people who know what you're going through, and are on your side:
Billy Blanks, world class martial artist and television and movie actor
Terry Bradshaw former NFL quarterback, now host of Fox’s NFL pre-game show
Scott Eyre, San Francisco Giants pitcher, was diagnosed with AD/HD at 30.
Bruce Jenner, 1976 gold medalist in the Olympic decathlon, is described as the "World’s Greatest Athlete."
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a legendary NBA basketball player who advocates for youth in the areas of education, health, and social issues.
Barry Roof is a University of Central Florida student and NCAA Division I golfer.
Jackie Stewart is a race car driving champion who has been inducted into the Grand Prix Hall of Fame.
Richard Branson is an enormously successful entrepreneur and founder of 150 enterprises that carry the Virgin name, such as Virgin Airlines.
John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, has revolutionized the technology industry and is recognized as one of the most fascinating business leaders of our times.
Barbara Corcoran, founder of one of New York City’s largest residential real estate agencies, recently authored Use What You’ve Got & Other Business Lessons I Learned from my Mom.
Charles Schwab is the founder, chairperson, and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation, the largest brokerage firm in the U.S.
Cher, Award winning actress, is also well-known for her pop music and 1970s hit TV variety show. Danny Glover, acclaimed actor of theatre and film, has used his celebrity status to advance many community programs and worthy causes
Whoopi Goldberg is an actress and comedian who has used her stardom to raise money to eliminate homelessness.
Lindsay Wagner, most famous for her title role on the hit 1970s TV series Bionic Woman, has dedicated much of her time to raising awareness about learning difficulties.
Henry Winkler, also known as "The Fonz" from the hit TV series Happy Days, is a producer, author, Yale graduate, and children’s advocate.
Gavin Newsom is the youngest mayor of San Francisco in 100 Years.
Nelson Rockefeller served as governor of New York for 12 years and as Vice President of the United States under Gerald Ford.
William "Bill" Hewlett Engineer and inventor who co-founded with David Packard the Hewlett-Packard Company in 1939, which became the second-largest computer company in the world.
John Irving is a novelist and screenplay writer of World According to Garp, Hotel New Hampshire, and Cider House Rules, a movie that recently won acclaim and award nominations.
Patricia Polacco, prolific children’s author and illustrator, didn’t learn to read until she was 14.
Jewel is a young pop-music sensation who recently wrote an autobiography of her life growing up in Alaska
Harry Belafonte, famous singer, actor, entertainer and political activist who, even into his 70’s, uses his position as a celebrity to promote human rights worldwide.
Ann Bancroft, an honoree in the National Women’s Hall of Fame, was the first woman to travel to the North Pole and lead an all-woman dog-sled team to the South Pole.
Jay Leno is a popular comedian and late-night talk show host.
