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Why Start a "Life
Challenged" Dog Club?
© 2001
How many
dog training clubs hold a 'special" dog competition for people
who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy,
mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, autism, speech,
hearing and emotionally disabled or are paraplegic or legally
blind?
How many dog training clubs adapt the training methods or set up
agility equipment to meet their disabled members' physical and
mental needs?
How many dog training clubs attempt to stimulate and challenge
the bodies and the minds of their members into resolving life's
little canine problems?
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And how many dog training classes use obedience and agility
judges' completed competition worksheets for evaluating and
furthering each members' progress?
I am sure you are aware that there are few dog training classes
that attempt to accomplish these goals. Yet even though
organizing such a class and competition for disabled people is
challenging, it can be, and indeed, has been, accomplished. I
have been involved with such a program for several years, and it
is because of our success that I am sharing our program outline.
I will not lie and tell you organizing and teaching a dog
training class for disabled students is easy. Bringing about a
means to an end and climbing prejudicial mountains on behalf of
the disabled can be very frustrating at times.
The job requires a strong sense of commitment and a willingness
to "go instead where there is no path." It requires good
organizational skill and knowledge of canine behavior, anatomy,
and veterinary care. It requires training in canine obedience
and agility, as well as, knowledge of dog showing and handling.
It also requires an understanding of physical and mental
disabilities, a knowledge of developmental stages of human
behavior, and a knowledge (or willingness to learn) of the
characteristics of many different physical and mental
disabilities and the medical care required for each of these
disabilities.
Above all, organizing and teaching a dog training class for
disabled people requires good public relations and managerial
skill. The leader(s) must be willing to delegate responsibility
to various people and to honor the manner in which these people
choose to do their jobs. The leader(s) must be able to assist
with ideas for accomplishing a job, yet be open to suggestions
from the people performing the job.
To give you a brief background, our
class was formed in 1988 when Patti Dynes son expressed an
interest in learning to train his puppy. When Patti searched for
a class in which he could participate, she was unable to find a
club in her small town of Galien, Michigan, that could
accommodate a child with Down's Syndrome. Unfortunately, she was
unable to find one club in the entire State of Michigan that
could accommodate a child with a disability.
Determined to fill a need that was going unmet, Patti's
investigations lead her to the 4-H Club of America. After
completing their affiliation requirements, Patti formed the club
with the specific purpose of teaching dog training to disabled
people. This group is now known as Best Friends 4-H Club, a name
chosen by the members themselves.
In the years the club has existed, we at Best Friends 4-H Club
have developed methods of canine training that match the needs
of our members. Through ongoing experimentation and
modifications, we are constantly adding to our knowledge.
In our program, each student is assigned a team instructor with
whom he or she will work one-on-one. The team instructor is
knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about canine and canine
training techniques, and is also knowledgeable (or willing to
learn) about the physical or mental disability of the particular
student with whom he or she is teamed.
Some students have dogs of their own, but most often their
families cannot afford the extra expense and responsibility of
caring for a dog. In these cases, a volunteer dog is provided
for the student. The student, the dog, and the instructor form a
"team of three" and work together throughout the nine week
course.
With help from the Berrien County Youth Fair Dog Department in
Berrien Springs, Michigan, we at Best Friends 4-H Club have even
set up a yearly competition for our members. This gives our
students an opportunity to show off their skills in dog handling
and to take home trophies of accomplishment.
It is my hope that after reading our website, you, your friends,
neighbors and allies, will be encouraged to set up your own 4-H
or dog club for the disabled youth of your community. Best
Friends 4-H Club has established and polished the guidelines for
teaching dog obedience, anatomy good sportsmanship and agility,
as well as, competition guidelines in the afore mentioned. All
we ask is that you take the 4-H Motto to heart.... "To make the
best better."
Sincerely,
Linda M.
Shannon-Chaillet
Best Friends 4-H Club
Coordinator
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Berrien County 4-H Spring Achievement Canine Evaluation
Chairperson
Berrien County Youth Fair Canine Exhibitor with Disabilities
Chairperson
Berrien County 4-H Foundation, Inc. - Advisor 2007-2008
Member of the Great Lakes Newfoundland Club
Member of the Newfoundland Club of America
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Just What
is the Purpose of Teaching
a Dog Class to Disabled Youths?
by L.M. Shannon-Chaillet
© 2001
Carefully analyze
this question before you consider organizing a canine
training class for disabled people.
Now is the time for you "to weigh and consider."
Just why do you want to teach a "special' canine
class for disabled people?
Is because you want
an ego and/or self-esteem builder for your students, your team and class instructors and
yourself?
Is it because you wish to keep your canine(s) active in the
therapy/service dog world, or because your dog(s) need a
constructive job?
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Is it because you have several canines and this is a way of
getting help with the training and individual attention each
dog deserves?
Is it because you have a disabled child who needs a
constructive yet entertaining outlet for his or her mental
and physical energy?
These are all good reasons for
wanting to teach a "special" canine class. However, the
first and foremost reason should be because you want to give
disabled students opportunities to increase and enhance
their communication and life skills, as well as provide them
with opportunities for physical exercise in a safe and
supportive environment.
Those of us involved with Best Friends 4-H Club have found
that a dog training class for disabled students creates a
win, win, win situations.
The student through interacting with their class
coordinator, the other class members, the team instructors,
and the dogs, will have ample opportunities to expand his or
her socialization skills, use tactile stimulation to
encourage the dogs, communicate in both body and verbal
language, and fine tune eye-hand and body coordination. The
end result; the student will be encouraged to use his or her
body and brain while simultaneously having fun.
The student will also have the advantage of working
one-on-one with a Team Instructor who will adapt
"conventional" training methods to meet his or her
particular needs. Through positive reinforcement, the
instructor will help the student and the dog accomplish each
new exercise. The end result; the student will be encouraged
to function as a "team" member.
The Team Instructor will have an opportunity to teach a
sport he or she loves dog obedience and agility, from a new
perspective. The end result; the instructor will enjoy the
challenge of adapting familiar techniques to fit the unique
needs of his or her disabled student.
The dog wins, also. It will have an opportunity to interact
with two extraordinary people at every class. It will
receive an abundance of love and attention from its
teammates as well s some extra training. The end result; the
dog will get an opportunity to reinforce its canine good
manners.
Is organizing and coordinating a canine class for disabled
people something you would enjoy doing? Are you prepared for
the challenge?
If so, get ready for some hard work! But also get ready to
contribute to the development of some great teamwork, to
making some wonderful new friends, to building some
self-esteem (not just that of the disabled person!), and to
experiencing lots of joy and laughter.
It is our hope that you will take the knowledge we have
gained through our experience, adapt it to your situation,
and create a canine class for people in your own community
who are disabled. Despite the difficulties and frustrations
involved in such an endeavor, the rewards are boundless and
the joys are immeasurable.
Copyright © 2004-2008 Best Friends 4-H Club
Last modified:
10/19/09
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