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Dogwood is an occupational therapy practice and serves people ages 2 to 92, who have physical, cognitive and psychiatric disabilities. We recognize the power of the human-animal bond, and we have a special interest in animal assisted therapy and assistance dogs as an assistive technology option. We offer summer camps for the general public and kids with disabilities, so they can work with our canine co-therapists, and dogs in training (pet dogs and dogs that work with people with disabilities). This year want to fund 8 kids scholarships and 2 dog training scholarships. Please donate what you can, or feel free to sponsor a full kid or dog scholarships for summer camp. Full scholarship or award funders please contact Melissa directly so we know which one you are fully fuding. Partial donations will be lumped together to fund scholarships and awards and for camp supplies. Scholarship prices are at the end of each description, below.
The Jesse Winkle ‘Happy Camper’ Memorial Scholarship
Jesse was the first formally trained dog in practice with Melissa Winkle, OTR/L, FAOTA. He has a gentle soul and specialized in bringing kids out of their shell. While he was amazing with kids, he also enjoyed sneaking time with overwhelmed parents, even delivering tissues or spooning for rare parent nap opportunities. This scholarship is awarded to a kid (7-17 years) who has difficulty coming out of their shell- and loves dogs! The scholarship is worth $225- a full week of camp.
The Melvin Winkle ‘Best Buddy’ Memorial Scholarship
Melvin was everybody’s best friend. He loved every activity. He worked hard and played hard. He fulfilled roles of canine co-therapists, and alerted Melissa for a medical condition! Melvin was our program manager and had a retirement party in October 2016, and died the next day. This scholarship is awarded to a kid with or without disabilities who works really hard: does all their chores, does all their homework, maybe even volunteers time in the community. Work hard = play hard. This scholarship is worth $225- a full week of camp.
The Gunner Landry Military Memorial Award
Gunner was an assistance dog in training, in the Assistance Dogs of the West training program at Dogwood. Gunner was just beginning placement training with an incredible veteran, when Gunners life was prematurely taken by cancer before he was 2 years old. This scholarship will provide a veteran (honorable discharge), a military member, or their immediate family member with basic/ intermediate obedience training and socialization for their puppy (less than 5 months old, dog and kid friendly, fully vaccinated) in training to be a service dog or a companion. The puppy would come to camp in the mornings 9-12 for a month). This scholarship is worth $250.
The Eva Ferrell ‘Live Large’ Memorial Scholarship
Eva was a beautiful young girl who did not let multiple disabilities stop her from living large. She always tried her hardest to do everything her peers could do, and never gave up on her goals. She was a great friend, OT client, teacher and camper. She inspired kids and adults to TRY, no matter how difficult something seemed. This scholarship will fund a kid with multiple disability outcomes (physical, cognitive, psychiatric) for a week of camp. This scholarship is worth $500 (due to additional supports that are required, plus camp fees).
The Avri Coffey Grant ‘Graceful Attytude’ Scholarship
This scholarship was inspired by the kindness of Michelle Coffey Grant, who has watched Dogwood over the years on Facebook and followed Melvin’s story (one of our canine co-therapists who died in 2016). Michelle breeds Labrador Retrievers, many of who have gone on to be incredible therapy and service dogs. When she learned of Melvin’s death and the impact it had on all those who loved him, she generously donated a puppy from Avri’s litter to Dogwood. The recipient of this scholarship will be a kid (age 7-17) who consistently demonstrates kindness to people and animals, and is a pillar in their community. This scholarship is worth $225, a week of camp. (We will actually have THREE of Avri’s puppies for camp, one is training for a child with a disability, and two will be in training to be canine co-therapists!!!!)
Donante to support partial scholarships, a full scholarship, or for day to day camp supplies. Feel free to contact Melissa directly if you would like to fully fund a specific scholarship or award (donate here, but if you are funding a full scholarship or award, let me know which one! Partial donations will go into a general fund for scholarships and camp supplies!
The Jesse Winkle ‘Happy Camper’ Memorial Scholarship
Jesse was the first formally trained dog in practice with Melissa Winkle, OTR/L, FAOTA. He has a gentle soul and specialized in bringing kids out of their shell. While he was amazing with kids, he also enjoyed sneaking time with overwhelmed parents, even delivering tissues or spooning for rare parent nap opportunities. This scholarship is awarded to a kid (7-17 years) who has difficulty coming out of their shell- and loves dogs! The scholarship is worth $225- a full week of camp.
The Melvin Winkle ‘Best Buddy’ Memorial Scholarship
Melvin was everybody’s best friend. He loved every activity. He worked hard and played hard. He fulfilled roles of canine co-therapists, and alerted Melissa for a medical condition! Melvin was our program manager and had a retirement party in October 2016, and died the next day. This scholarship is awarded to a kid with or without disabilities who works really hard: does all their chores, does all their homework, maybe even volunteers time in the community. Work hard = play hard. This scholarship is worth $225- a full week of camp.
The Gunner Landry Military Memorial Award
Gunner was an assistance dog in training, in the Assistance Dogs of the West training program at Dogwood. Gunner was just beginning placement training with an incredible veteran, when Gunners life was prematurely taken by cancer before he was 2 years old. This scholarship will provide a veteran (honorable discharge), a military member, or their immediate family member with basic/ intermediate obedience training and socialization for their puppy (less than 5 months old, dog and kid friendly, fully vaccinated) in training to be a service dog or a companion. The puppy would come to camp in the mornings 9-12 for a month). This scholarship is worth $250.
The Eva Ferrell ‘Live Large’ Memorial Scholarship
Eva was a beautiful young girl who did not let multiple disabilities stop her from living large. She always tried her hardest to do everything her peers could do, and never gave up on her goals. She was a great friend, OT client, teacher and camper. She inspired kids and adults to TRY, no matter how difficult something seemed. This scholarship will fund a kid with multiple disability outcomes (physical, cognitive, psychiatric) for a week of camp. This scholarship is worth $500 (due to additional supports that are required, plus camp fees).
The Avri Coffey Grant ‘Graceful Attytude’ Scholarship
This scholarship was inspired by the kindness of Michelle Coffey Grant, who has watched Dogwood over the years on Facebook and followed Melvin’s story (one of our canine co-therapists who died in 2016). Michelle breeds Labrador Retrievers, many of who have gone on to be incredible therapy and service dogs. When she learned of Melvin’s death and the impact it had on all those who loved him, she generously donated a puppy from Avri’s litter to Dogwood. The recipient of this scholarship will be a kid (age 7-17) who consistently demonstrates kindness to people and animals, and is a pillar in their community. This scholarship is worth $225, a week of camp. (We will actually have THREE of Avri’s puppies for camp, one is training for a child with a disability, and two will be in training to be canine co-therapists!!!!)
Donante to support partial scholarships, a full scholarship, or for day to day camp supplies. Feel free to contact Melissa directly if you would like to fully fund a specific scholarship or award (donate here, but if you are funding a full scholarship or award, let me know which one! Partial donations will go into a general fund for scholarships and camp supplies!