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Hello!
My name is Norella and I'm a special education social worker working in a school in Topeka, Kansas. I LOVE my job! Working with kids and families is my passion. I love the community and closeness that you develop working in a school setting.
I'm reaching out to friends, friends of friends, or anyone who might feel compelled to donate to my goal of being able to get a professional therapy dog that I can bring to school with me to enhance my ability to support students and staff at school. Any little bit helps!
The cost of a therapy dog that is trained and is able to go to schools and other facilities is high but the REWARD is BIG!! The dog I'm looking to get is highly trained to respond the emotional needs of others. These dogs are temperament tested, vetted and trained to be well behaved under all types of stressful conditions. The dogs trained through CARES, Inc in Concordia, KS (see link below) are TOP NOTCH and some of the most affordable in our area. That said, the cost of getting a dog from CARES is $4000 and this cost is not subsidized by the school district in any way.
I have had a therapy dog before (I fully paid the cost of this dog myself the last time) but he is now an old man, living a life of leisure in retirement. I cannot adequately explain the difference this little dog made in the life others. He was able to help me make a positive impact better than any clinical intervention I learned at school or in all of my years of additional training. That little dog was truly worth his weight in gold!
Please help me fulfill this wish for my students and staff. I would be eternally grateful! Any funds collected that are in excess of the goal will be used to help others in my district be able to afford their own dogs.
Resources:
CARES, Inc Website--
Benefits of therapy dogs
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/gone-to-the-dogs-schools-use-therapy-animals-to-boost-mental-health-academics/2023/01
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