 Debra Livermore- Upper Literacy
Gwen Davis- Literacy Coach
Amanda Werhan- Math Specialist
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Molly
Molly Livermore is a Professional Assistance Dog who was selected, trained, and tested by the C.A.R.E.S. organization out of Concordia, KS. Molly and Miss Livermore became a Professional Assistance Team in March of 2009. In addition to Molly’s work with students, she also serves as a Diabetic Alert Dog for Miss Livermore. Many people wonder what students could possibly learn from having a dog at school. In the article Therapy Dogs Lending a Helping Paw to Students, the following benefits were noted:
Asking for Help - People with dogs are much more approachable: this includes authority figures such as teachers, counselors, and principals.
Behavior Control - Educators tell students that if the dog can behave, they can as well, and everyone in the class wants to mimic the dog’s behavior!
Memory Skills - To get the dogs to perform tasks, students have to remember a specific sequence of commands.
Higher IQ - Research shows that children who have regular contact with animals have higher IQ scores.
Tenacity - Students learn that the trained therapy dog never gives up, no matter how complicated the task.
Empathy & Respect - Children are taught to have empathy and to treat other living things with respect. In schools where therapy dogs are used, a majority of students build their own relationship with the dog, which includes wanting to protect their friend.
Fivecoat-Campbell, K. (2006). Therapy Dogs Lending a Helping Paw to Students. World and I, 9, 25151. Retrieved from World and I Archive Database. |
Mrs Wallace- Reading Specialist
