Working It Out

A minor miracle occurred this week! While Mom and I were volunteering doing our usual Animal Assisted Therapy in our science class, two students could not agree who would be the group leader and could not agree on which path to take for a group project. The other students in the group were passive bystanders.
I was in a down nearby listening to the students discussion when suddenly the students decided to come and talk to me!

20131026-080845.jpg They both greeted me and agreed that they would take turns telling me who should be leader and why. Each student spoke and the other listened intently. I listened. Then both boys began to pat me.

20131026-081110.jpg After a few moments of patting and silence, one boy said, “You can be leader but I think my idea is still better”. The other student agreed. Compromise achieved – with AAT! A minor miracle of working through it!
Just a little snapshot into our world!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Success!!

Today was a huge success! We have been volunteering in a very challenging class doing Animal Assisted Therapy (working 1-1 with some specific students to meet goals) and had not made much progress. Suddenly everything seemed to click for the students. They acted like angels. Each one decided to try his/ her hardest to do his/her work and and request help. Each student actively sought me out when frustrated and patted me and then talked things out with Mom. Each student got his/ her work completed for the very first time and it was 100% correct! This is an example of what it can look like when I help.

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Boy, was it exhausting! This says it all:

20131018-084705.jpg And when Mom and I got home, she wanted her recliner, and I had to join her…
We have to share our celebration and our exhaustion and the recliner, right?

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Woofs and wags,
Bella

Busy Day!

Today was a typical busy day volunteering at Noe Middle School as a Therapy Dog. We arrive at 7:00 AM and check in. Mom has some papers to run off and so we visit the copy machine. Of course, we make stops along the way since teachers and some students want to pat me. The stress is already high for some people – or perhaps I am just irresistible! Then we went to Mrs. Arnold’s class for math. I love math. Sometimes I do tricks to help students select the right answer. Today I stuck close to my buddy, J, to help him with paying attention. Then we went to Mrs. Ames’ class. Guess what happened there? The PA system came on and a voice said, “Earthquake, Earthquake”. I did a perfect under. The class was following directions too!

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I watched them like a mother hen making sure that they stayed under the table until the PA system came on and a voice said, “The drill is over”.

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They did a great job on the drill. Our day was a good one even if it was very busy!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

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