PAWS FOR LEARNING INC

Paws For Learning: Partnering With Schools For Student Success
Paws For Learning therapy dog teams enhance the work that schools are doing to help students read by creating a calm, non-judgmental relationship between the dog team and the student. The dog serves as a buffer, letting the students feel comfortable while working to expand their skills. Being chosen to read with a dog from Paws For Learning is seen as a positive opportunity by the students.

The Achievement Gap Crisis
In St. Paul, almost half the students tested in 2009 are not proficient in reading or math. This represents a crisis not only for our city, but for our state and our nation.

“It is a moral and social imperative to eliminate the achievement gap in Saint Paul and help all students reach their full potential.”
--St. Paul Public Schools Foundation websit

Through collaboration with Paws For Learning, educators report that students experience a broad range of academic improvement, including increased success in reading, psychosocial development and school attendance.

Paws For Learning educational-assistance dog teams have worked in the following education settings:

• The Lab: River-East, Central High School, Highland Park Sr. High, St. Andrews, West 7th, Como Sr. High, Battlecreek Middle School, Hazelpark Middle School, Murray Jr. High, Ramsey Jr. High, Harding Sr. High school
• Wellstone Elementary
• Ames Elementary
• Highland Park Jr. High
• Mississippi Creative Arts
• Bridgeview
• Oneka
• Maxfield Learning Center
• Adams Spanish Immersion
• Augsburg College
• University of St. Thomas

“I think that this is definitely some evidence based, on the job research that we’re doing here, that shows me that this is one of the most effective interventions that I’ve seen happen professionally with kids around reading.”

-Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - St. Paul Public Schools

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"The children are working to learn to manage their emotions and impulses, develop healthy relationships with adults and peers, and develop coping strategies and self control in order to be successful in their academic development. The dogs bring a sense of calm to the classroom that in turn helps the children calm.”

“I often hear the children say excitedly “The dogs are coming!” The students are motivated to be in the classroom learning and ready for their class’s time ..."

-School Social Worker - St. Paul Public Schools

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Disaster Response - Animals Can Make The Difference

Following a school crisis, a high school principal reported, "It was the best thing I ever provided for my students."

Paws For Learning operates under the premise that the act of assisting at times of disaster or critical incidents with trained canines and their handlers is a proven and life giving intervention.

Paws For Learning care-assistance dog teams have responded to:

• The 35W bridge collapse
• Cottonwood bus crash
• Tornadoes (Hugo, MN, Wadena, MN, Northwood, ND)
• Hate Crimes
• Student deaths
• Missing persons
• Floods and fires
• Shootings
• The recovery needs of relief workers responding to these disasters and critical incidents.

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To see more photos of our dog teams in action, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pawsforlearning or our website at www.pawsforlearning.com. We also have a twitter feed - just search for pawsforlearning on Twitter.com