Books and Barks
It all began when Kelvin, a 10 week old Chocolate Labrador Retriever belonging to our VP, came to school one day. Kelvin made an impact on even the toughest students, and this gave our Principal time to “paws” and think…What if dogs were in the school on a regular basis? Is there a way to do this? From there, with a dog-loving staff, supportive superintendents, a large empty room, and lots of green space, an idea became a reality. “UNDER ONE WOOF” was created.
This full semester 4 Credit package provides students with the opportunity to learn how to run a small business and care for dogs. Students are responsible for walking the dogs, playing with them, cleaning up after them, teaching basic obedience and learning about dogs and their behaviours.
West Credit Secondary School is a vocational high school and is home to approximately 500 students. It is geared to providing unique pathways for students who may be graduating with a Certificate or Diploma. Adding a program that was centred around the growing animal care industry seemed to be a perfect addition to the school. Not only are students gaining knowledge and experience in a new and exciting area, but they are also being taught many soft skills as well. Research indicates that the pet industry is often considered recession-proof and is expected to top $50 billion in revenue in 2011. This is certainly a job market that is viable and profitable for our students.
While the program is just starting out, research indicates that providing such a program will reap huge benefits for the students and school. “Dog care and training programs provide direct links to basic communication and social skills. Patience and positive reinforcement are key skills practiced among classmates as well as the dogs. Activities and group discussion teach students how to handle interpersonal conflicts and develop constructive responses. (Pollyea, 1997). Evidence also suggests positive effects using dogs with children with ASD, behavior issues, and students with intellectual disabilities. Already, some of our hardest to serve youth are showing improvement in their behavior and attitude towards school. For students, working with dogs can “help build skills such as empathy, sympathy, sharing, turn- taking, and caring” (Hyde and Kurdek, 1983). Issacs (1998) reported that “the use of a dog seemed to greatly enhance social interaction of autistic children through petting and touching , increasing eye contact, attention span, affect and affection.” The beauty of this program, at a vocational school, is that it allows students to take care of pets, helps teach them responsibility and confidence. Plus they learn skills which will assist them later in a job connected to the animal industry. Students interact with each other and with the dogs in a manner far different from that of the regular classroom. To see them in action is truly inspiring.
About You
About You
First Name
Paulette
Last Name
Leveris
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
wcss
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
West Credit Secondary School
Country
Canada, ON
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
Other.
What best describes your group or organization
Elementary or Secondary school.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
Less than a year
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Books and Barks
Tell us the story of your idea or project
It all began when Kelvin, a 10 week old Chocolate Labrador Retriever belonging to our VP, came to school one day. Kelvin made an impact on even the toughest students, and this gave our Principal time to “paws” and think…What if dogs were in the school on a regular basis? Is there a way to do this? From there, with a dog-loving staff, supportive superintendents, a large empty room, and lots of green space, an idea became a reality. “UNDER ONE WOOF” was created.
This full semester 4 Credit package provides students with the opportunity to learn how to run a small business and care for dogs. Students are responsible for walking the dogs, playing with them, cleaning up after them, teaching basic obedience and learning about dogs and their behaviours.
West Credit Secondary School is a vocational high school and is home to approximately 500 students. It is geared to providing unique pathways for students who may be graduating with a Certificate or Diploma. Adding a program that was centred around the growing animal care industry seemed to be a perfect addition to the school. Not only are students gaining knowledge and experience in a new and exciting area, but they are also being taught many soft skills as well. Research indicates that the pet industry is often considered recession-proof and is expected to top $50 billion in revenue in 2011. This is certainly a job market that is viable and profitable for our students.
While the program is just starting out, research indicates that providing such a program will reap huge benefits for the students and school. “Dog care and training programs provide direct links to basic communication and social skills. Patience and positive reinforcement are key skills practiced among classmates as well as the dogs. Activities and group discussion teach students how to handle interpersonal conflicts and develop constructive responses. (Pollyea, 1997). Evidence also suggests positive effects using dogs with children with ASD, behavior issues, and students with intellectual disabilities. Already, some of our hardest to serve youth are showing improvement in their behavior and attitude towards school. For students, working with dogs can “help build skills such as empathy, sympathy, sharing, turn- taking, and caring” (Hyde and Kurdek, 1983). Issacs (1998) reported that “the use of a dog seemed to greatly enhance social interaction of autistic children through petting and touching , increasing eye contact, attention span, affect and affection.” The beauty of this program, at a vocational school, is that it allows students to take care of pets, helps teach them responsibility and confidence. Plus they learn skills which will assist them later in a job connected to the animal industry. Students interact with each other and with the dogs in a manner far different from that of the regular classroom. To see them in action is truly inspiring.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
An in-school co-operative education program that pairs students with dogs so they can learn from each other and develop business skills running a dog daycare.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (the project is up and running and is starting to move forward)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
Within our own community, the social impact is creating bonds between people in the program and those utilizing the daycare. We are developing a new generation of leaders as they demonstrate what they have learned and how dogs are a social lubricant in society.
This can be transferable to the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples as students can be given an opportunity to be advocates for “dogs” as a pet within a family and the greater community. Students can develop a sense of responsibility, empathy and understand what it means to be needed.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
Expand our program by creating more physical space and teaching new skills, such as dog grooming.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
We will further develop and strengthen our relationship with a local college that offers related post-secondary dog programming. We will increase our students employability skills to ensure a sucessful transition to the workplace.
In addition, we would like to develop specific programming to meet the needs of more students that are identified as being "at risk". We will also focus on other vulnerable sectors such as those students with "physical and learning disabilites".
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
Within our building we have a number of staff that have been trained in pet first aid. This is important because it provides additional "trained" support when needed. Our clients are staff pets. This is important because staff are influential spokespeople in the school and the broader community.
There are also several community partners that are experts in the field of dogcare that support our program, either as guest speakers (guide dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs) or as volunteers (municipal animal services officer, vet technician, etc.).
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
We would like to strengthen our students' transition into the world of work by developing partnerships with dog-related businesses (dog daycares, pet stores, dog groomers, etc.). This future network of potential employers will provide our students, even the most challenging ones, with contacts in the industry.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
We currently receive donations from within the school such as used toys, beds and blankets. We also have a volunteer who is a professional trainer in the community.
Some of the things we will need are:
Dog training equipment and supplies
Dog grooming equipment
Dog daycare equipment (beds, blankets, water bowls, leashes, harnesses)
Technology and training to fully utilize available social media
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
Yes (answer the next two questions)
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 | 16 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: I think this is a unique way for students to learn and possibly engage in something career-related. Thanks for sharing! about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agoRoxanne Martin said: and how are books associated with this idea? about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agoPaulette Leveris updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoPaulette Leveris updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoPaulette Leveris submitted this idea. |
