Who knew slobbery kisses from a dog could boost a child?s emotional development?
The Hannah More School, a private special education school in Reisterstown with over 3,500 students, has recently instituted a new pet therapy program to encourage development in students. Special therapies can improve verbal communication, increase self-esteem and promoting a willingness to be involved in group activity, among other benefits.
“We?re always looking for new ways to meet therapeutic needs,” said Paul Kaplan, director of clinical services at the school. “The pet program has been a great addition.”
Currently, the school offers therapies in art, music, poetry and more, as well as classes that examine cultural differences and pop culture.
Every other week, pets from the nonprofit Pets On Wheels visit the school to interact with the students, whose disabilities range from emotional disturbance to autism to learning disabilities. Each animal must pass a temperament test and be up to date on vaccinations.
Before the animal arrives, the students do research on the animal. When it arrives, kids meet the owner, take the dog for walks and play with it.
“I think many of our students struggle with self-esteem and being accepted. The pets allow them to show affection and the pets give it back,” Kaplan explained. “It gives [the students] mastery and some success with another living thing.”
Candice Thomas, a social worker at Hannah More, came up with the idea for a pet therapy program when she realized the students? love for their own pets.
“The student would say they were sad one day and their dog came by and made them feel better. I thought it would be great to bring that into the school,” Thomas said. “It could help them process through things during their day.”
“One student didn?t have a lot of connections with peers, but over the course of the year and through being in the group, became a lot more outgoing and joined two clubs,” Thomas said. “It really does make a difference.”
So far, the program has only introduced dogs to the students, but Kaplan has plans to introduce reptiles and bearded lizards in the coming week.
» If you want to share your dog?s love, you can volunteer with Pets on Wheels. For information on a screening process or to obtain an application, visit www.petson
wheels.org or call 410-913-5569.
