DPS families meet Ginger!
She is a 3.5-year-old golden doodle. She has gone through multiple trainings at Granny Rose K9 Enrichment center and has had one on one training lessons to touch up on her skills. Ginger, accompanied by Ms. Sholders, participated in the application and training requirement process through Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
To become certified as a therapy dog and handler through ATD one must complete the following requirements: A background check, health verification from a veterinarian, letters of reference, pass a 9-section test with a canine evaluator, and pass multiple visits at a medical or retirement facility. Once certified with ATD one must follow their rules and regulations which includes yearly membership renewal. This process proves that our certification here at Dixon Public Schools is legitimate.
Starting out, Ginger will accompany Ms. Sholders 3 days a week. She will assist in greeting students in the morning and in the hallways, helping with comfort, reducing stress and anxiety and calming students. She can help in teaching social emotional lessons, gaining trust and making a connection with at-risk students. Ginger can help students by listening to them read and she can also be utilized as a classroom reward or for PBIS incentives. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Expectations will be taught in the classroom to the students about the therapy dog.
Studies have shown that having a therapy dog can provide many healing effects to both staff and students. We are proud to have Ginger as an integral part of our family here at Dixon Public Schools.