Loving our visits at the WOW Center!

This summer the Marti, Maia, Sammy, and Bernie have been visiting the WOW Center (http://wowcentermiami.org/). The WOW Center (formerly Community Habilitation Center) supports and serves over 150 adults with developmental disabilities from Miami-Dade County who range in ages from 21 to 71.

The purpose of all The WOW Center services is to offer support, guidance and encouragement to adults with developmental disabilities regarding their personal choices, abilities, growth and ultimately, independence. They provide individuals with programs designed to help them learn skills in order for them to lead meaningful and productive lives, explore their potential, and develop a sense of community (wowcentermiami.org/).

We have been meeting with the senior group and they are so much fun. We look forward to seeing their smiling faces. Sammy and Bernie enjoy hugs and kisses. Here are a few photos from our summer visits.

Mitzvah Day - Sunday February 12

On Sunday, February 12, the mitzvah dog team visited the Homestead Manor. As part of Temple Beth Am's annual Mitzvah Day, Roger, Marti, Jonah, Maia, and Leo joined a group from the temple. We brought Sammy and Bernie (the Mitzvah Dogs) and they enjoyed sharing their love and kisses. The children helped make festive picture frames for Valentine's Day and while they were working on the frames the dogs visited the residents. For some of the residents, seeing the dogs brought back memories of their own pets and the dogs' presences initiated a conversation about good memories. There were a few, however, who preferred not to pet them. The important aspect is that we ask each person and give them a choice whether they would like to pet the dogs. Respecting their choices is important.  Here are some photos from the event.

Labor Day Visit to The Palace

We had a wonderful time at The Palace this past Sunday, September 1st. Sammy and Bernie delighted the Palace residents during their weekly afternoon ice cream social. Even Leo helped out. While he is still too young to be a registered therapy dog handlers, he's not too young to share his loving kindness!

Last Visit of the Year at Coral Reef Elementary

Today was the last day at Coral Reef Elementary School for our therapy dog visits. Today we read to wonderful books including Sitting Ducks by Michael Bedard and City Pig by Karen Wallace and illustrated by Lydia Monks. We had children from Pre-K through fourth grade. Those who wanted to read took turns.


Here are some pictures from today's visit. Happy Summer, Coral Reef Elementary! We look forward to seeing everyone next year.

City Pig is about a pig who lived in a penthouse in the city. She had a big office, a nice car and a lovely home but she was not very happy. When her boss told her that she needed a vacation, the pig jumped in her car and drove to the countryside. She was amazed to see so many other pigs having fun and enjoying life. She decided to take of her business suit and jump in the mud with the rest of the pigs. She was happy. In fact, she was so happy that she quit her job in the city and moved to the country.

After this story, we talked about times where we felt out of place and what we did to feel better. We also talked about why City Pig felt so much better in the country. She could be herself!

Cinco de Mayo at The Palace at Kendall

Today the whole family visited the Palace at Kendall. It was such fun! They were celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an ice cream social. We enjoyed our time visiting with the residents. Sammy and Bernie were exhausted on the ride home.

ASPCA's Humane Education Program

A few years ago I ordered an activity book called I Love Animals: A Humane Education Program of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA's mission is to "provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals."

Included in the book are activities for children in grades kindergarten through third grade. These activities are intended to help children develop a sense of empathy and respect for all life.

On Wednesday, April 24, Jonah, Sammy (our Wheaten Terrier) and I went to Coral Reef Elementary School and met with a small group of children from the Pre-K through third grade. We did an activity with the group that was intended to help them think about an animal with which they are familiar and think about their features, where they live, what they eat, and how they are born and raised.

Children drew pictures of tigers, monkeys, fish, deer, snakes, and butterflies.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Humane education can start at a very young age  and if each of us does our part in helping promote empathy and respect, the world might become a more peaceful place.

Reference:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (2000). I Love Animals: A Humane Education Program of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Intercultural Center for Research in Education (INCRE), Arlington, MA.

I Aint't Gonna Paint No More!

The book, I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! was given to Jonah by his grandparents, Jackie and Marvin. It's a lovely book about a child who loves to paint so much that he painted his entire body! The illustrations are whimsical and really make the story come to life. The book is written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow. Today, Maia read this story to a group of Pre-K - 1st grade students at Coral Reef Elementary School. She also read, If You Give A Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. Here are some pictures from today's visit. Enjoy!