Our Dog Assisted Interventionist
Meet Murphy!
Murphy is a six-year old chocolate Labrador Retriever therapy dog, certified by an AKC registered organization, Paws for Friendship. He has earned his Canine Good Citizen Title, Therapy Dog Excellent Title and Tricks Title from the American Kennel Club. Murphy has a very calm, friendly, agreeable temperament and has developed a solid foundation of training.
I am thrilled to report we are entering the sixth year of our dog assisted intervention program, Paws4Cardinals, at Center School. We have added a Social Emotional Curriculum to incorporate specific lessons in children's time with Murphy. There’s nothing Murphy enjoys more than working with children and the elderly to spread happiness and provide assistance.
When Murphy’s not working, he enjoys adventures with Mr. and Mrs. Giuggio, including hikes and swimming, plus romping with his canine friends. Murphy finished his first full year in agility and brought home a blue ribbon in his first competition!
Murphy LOVES working with Center School students and gets so excited when I put his red Paws4Cardinals bandana on because he know it's time to go to Center!
Check out the letter from Principal Hutton including Q and A about our program, Paws4Cardinals.
Do you have a question for Murphy? Click the mailbox below!
And don't forget to check out our photo album!
PAWS4CARDINALS
Our Vision
To enhance a student’s social and/or academic skills through engaging lessons with dog assisted intervention developed for specific needs.
Dog Assisted Intervention Defined
Dog assisted intervention is a goal-oriented, planned and structured intervention facilitated by a general education and/or a special education teacher. The focus of the activities is on academic goals and prosocial skills with the assistance of a canine friend.
The Dog Assisted Intervention program will be used to foster the following learning:
Reading Proficiencies
Language and communication skills
Implicit in the intervention program is to realize the positive research results demonstrated in students when taking part in intervention with an animal:
Confidence and self- esteem
Anxiety reduction
Responsibility and respect for others
Independence
Motivation to engage in specific learning/activities
Attention and listening
Appropriate play and social interaction
Murphy's Book Nook
Ben the Very Best Furry Friend by Holly Raus
Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey*
The Dog and the Piglet by Jennifer Holland*
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion*
A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose by S.A. Bodeen*
Good Dog Carl by Alexandra Day*
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman*
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls*
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo*
A Dog's Life by Ann Martin *
* Check out of our Center Library
Have a suggestion? Email Murphy here: Woof! Woof!
Murphy's first win in agility! He can't wait to share his adventures in agility with the children!