Every visit can have a 'Teachable Moment'
by Patti Savage
During a visit to UMOM Watkin's Shelter, while I was a Helping Hand for the Genrich family and their 3 Golden therapy dogs, I was coloring with the 6-year old children. A new boy, who had just arrived with his family, looked at me and asked, "Do you know what is going to happen to us?"
I took a second to respond. "I don't know exactly what will happen, but things will get better. Would you like to meet the dogs?"
This little boy walked over to G.G., Chloe & Codi, and began brushing their soft coats and listening to their heartbeats. He actually said, "Thank you for letting me meet the dogs!"
Two months later I realized the power of those simple words and act. The same boy recognized and approached me and another therapy dog at UMOM New Day Shelter. With smiling eyes he said, "Everything is really good here."
This Teachable Moment gave a child hope through the connection to the therapy dog - helping the child to feel safe and begin building the core behaviors of trust and attachment.
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This is for you...to share NEW and EXCITING ideas and activities with your fellow Therapy Team & Helping Hand Volunteers!
And don't forget...the great ideas for teenagers listed under the General Activities section.
If you have questions about our Forum or need help getting registered, please email Patti or call her at 602-266-0875.
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- Click here to access our Volunteer Forum!
- Click on 'Register' at top of page and Choose 'I agree to these terms.'
- Fill out 'Registration' information and click 'Submit'. You will receive a confirmation page after submitting, followed by an email stating your account has been activated. (please allow up to 5 business days to receive the confirmation email).
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