Special Needs Project

In 2009, The Pet Prescription Team launched a special needs program with HBIC located in La Habra, California.

This program was unique in that it involved not using Therapy dogs just for visiting but to work with the kids to develop the following skills:

How this project works

Physical Development
Communication Skills
Verbal Skills
Instructional Skills
Positive Behavior Support
Encouragement Through Instruction

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Each week HBIC buses children to the Pet Prescription Training Facility. Once the children arrive each child is matched up with a dog they will work with for one hour. There is a clear directive as to goals and cognisance level of each child and each PPT volunteer tailors their work to the level in which will best fit that child.

Each volunteer is given clear instuction on how to work with these special needs kids. PPT volunteers and Therapy dogs work together with each child in the follwing exercises.

Exercise	Goal
Walking The Dog	Develops motor skills
Working a dog on an agility course	Develops the ability to perform a task
Dog sitting politely while student pets	Teaches the proper way to touch
Identifying ears, nose etc on the dog	Develops word association
Acceptance of a dog	Helps to build confidence