Meet Our Clients

Text Box: Indiana School for the Deaf We attend classes with the sixth grade, special-needs children twice each week. In their study classes, the children have learned to use signs to tell the dogs what to do (sit, stay, come, lay down, and do tricks). In the gym, we help build strength and endurance. The exercises we do with the children have improved their reading, writing, math, and communication skills. In addition, our activities are credited with directly enhancing the children's values of responsibility, sharing, cooperation, attentiveness, team efforts, and accountability.
Read about Mo, a student at ISFD.

Text Box: IPS #31 - James Garfield Elementary School This year, we've started a program with students at James Garfield Elementary School. We are visiting in the classroom to help the children learn about self control, following directions, and reading to the dogs.

Text Box: Johnson County Nursing Homes We visit several nursing homes in the Greenwood area twice each month. Sometimes we go room-to-room, spending quality time with each resident. Sometimes we participate in group activities like playing ball or hide-and-seek. And sometimes we assist with individual physical or emotional therapies.

"The experience for the students as well as the staff was immeasurable. By working and interacting with the dogs on a regular basis, as well as by participating in curriculum activities focused around the study of dogs and animals, progress was seen in social, emotional and academic areas of the students' curriculum."

-Becky Smith
Middle School Teacher
Indiana School for the Deaf

"Jan Nowicki was, and still is, very committed to working with the ISD students. She brought dogs to school on a regular basis and she also brought inspiration to the students; knowing that their wishes would be fulfilled when working with the dogs. Also, she knew how to apply students' learning to various curricula with the dogs."

-Jeff Choate
Middle School Supervising Teacher
Indiana School for the Deaf

"I have watched therapy dogs work in the past and have always been awed at their ability to interact with individuals that on the surface appear incapable of interaction. I have watched a nearly comatose woman blossom and start laughing and talking as she is petting a dog. I have watched such dogs bring joy to the eyes of children in hospitals. Each time it has been a wonderful experience."

-Rose Hemmelgarn, SPHR
Director of Operations
Indiana School for the Deaf

Text Box: Camps in Central Indiana We have attended Camp Riley, Camp Healing Tree, inner-city camps, and Burn Camp. We are currently working on arrangements to visit several other special local camps this year.