Today, co-founders Tricia Sutton and M Henry Van Nostrand, are pleased to announce the launch of Paws for Kids for Paws.
Kids who don’t quite fit in and dogs in shelters and rescues have a lot in common. They both need to belong to and to contribute to their world. Paws for Kids for Paws gives them the opportunity to do just that.
With the support of specialized dog trainers and other educational professionals, Paws for Kids for Paws will provide programs and the space for “square peg” kids to develop skills, then share those skills with dogs in need, providing room for both:
- To grow and achieve.
- To find their level of greatness.
To accomplish this Paws for Kids will need your support… How you ask?
- Donate! Of course that’s always a good option – Right now we especially need funds for our summer 2018 pilot program. (www.Paws4Kids4Paws.org)
- Grow awareness of our mission! Like/share our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn.
- Recommend connections! Research partners, universities, grant opportunities. If you think it may connect well with us – let us know and we’ll see if we can make that connection!
- Partners! Dog Handlers & trainers, Educators, Youth groups, rescues & shelters. Initially in Chicagoland and Philly metro areas and expanding around the country as we grow. Reach out to us.
- Volunteer! You have skills, we need people with skills. Marketing, program development, grant writing, research, and much more… tell us what you’re good at and we’ll put you to good use!
- Register your kids for our programs notices! When we get to your region, we’ll let you know.
Interaction with dogs has been shown to help kids with ADHD and other challenges. How?
Dogs create consistency
Dogs provide an outlet to burn off energy
Dogs are always happy to see you
Dogs don’t confuse you with words – they accept you for who you are
Helping animals builds self confidence
Project based (experiential) learning has a proven track record for success (Doppelt 2003)
Animals have been shown to encourage interest and increase motivation in children with multiple challenges, as was shown by enhanced focus and task perseverance in the presence of a dog (Busch, 2016).
We believe our programs and programs like this give our square peg kids…
A place to embrace their differences.
The opportunity to explore how their differences can make them great.
A chance to own their greatness and use it to make a difference in the world of shelter and rescue dogs.
The confidence that THEY have the ability to change the world and to make a world of difference in the lives of animals.
Tricia Sutton is one of the co-founders of Paws for Kids for Paws. Despite complaints from her spouse, she spends a lot of time with her dog Elsa, who also is one of the board members.