rainbow news - Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy

RAINBOW NEWS
RAINBOW NEWS
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc
Fall 2008
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME AND RAINBOW GEARS
UP FOR ITS FALL SCHOOL PROGRAMS!
WELCOME BACK TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS AND
STUDENTS RETURNING FOR FALL SESSION 2008
RAINBOW’S CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM VISITS NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
On April 23, 2008, Rainbow
Animal Assisted Therapy’s
Crisis Response Team, led by
Rainbow member, Mary
Ramsden, provided animal
assisted activities to the
Northern Illinois University
community.
In a letter to Rainbow,
Elizabeth Garcia, Ph.D., of
NIU, wrote, “Several members
of their team...interacted with
students, faculty, and staff
outside academic buildings,
and residence halls. At the
end of the day, the team
attended a “National Stress
Out” event, a program that
provides healthy activities for
students to help manage their
stress at the end of the
semester. In my observations,
the team provided students,
faculty and staff an opportunity to interact with the dogs
in a way that allowed them to
experience a sense of relief,
calmness, and safety.” She
goes on to say, “We received
positive feedback from the
community and have received
numerous requests to offer
additional animal assisted
activities in the future.”
In fact, Rainbow has already
been invited back and is
grateful to have been given
the opportunity to
An NIU student is
comforted by
Sadie, a Rainbow
Crisis Response
Dog.
demonstrate how effective our
Crisis Response Team has proven
to be.
Many thanks to the CRU team:
Mary Ramsden Suzanne Richter
Nancy Lind
Julie Weertman
Dottie Hemrick LeAnn Spencer
Joan Lester
Cindy Nauer
Jeanne Liedtka Marilyn Abbey
June Goritz
NIU animal assisted
pin given to our
CRU team
In this Fall’s issue…
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Rainbow CRU team at NIU
Share the Magic
Fall Classes & Schedules
Upcoming events
Speakers Bureau
Website makeover
Donations
What are our school programs
saying about Rainbow?
The Rainbow dog therapy
teams “work on the children’s
IEP goals by incorporating skills
into their time together. The
gross motor skills of walking,
independent sitting, reaching
and throwing perfectly align
with our goals…”
Mrs. VandeHey, Sp. Education,
Gray Sanborn School, Palatine
SHARE THE MAGIC—A RAINBOW VOLUNTEER’S STORY by Judy Bennett
All of us who work with Rainbow believe that what we do is very
special. We often say that it’s always great and sometimes magical.
With this issue of the newsletter, we’re starting a new feature… an
opportunity to share that magic. We’re asking you to send us your
stories of that special time. We’ll publish these as well as some of
the great feedback we get from the teachers, parents, and staff
members that work with our teams.
I’ll start by sharing one of my favorites. I was working at Solomon
School with some special needs youngsters. We started a new
session that included a 5 or 6 year-old named “Jonah” who was
terrified of my Bichon, Zoe. After a good deal of screaming and
much careful work, Jonah would touch the tip of a finger to Zoe.
But as we walked away in the hallway, Jonah ran to the door and
yelled “GO AWAY AND DON’T EVER COME BACK AGAIN!”
The second session was also challenging but Jonah advanced
to really petting Zoe with just a small bit of coaching. Still as
we left, Jonah was at the door, yelling “GO AWAY AND DON’T
EVER COME BACK AGAIN!”
By the third session, Jonah was feeding Zoe. One of Jonah’s
classmates admonished him with “You need to be nice to Zoe
because we like her.” Jonah again ran to the door as we left,
but this time he yelled “THANK YOU FOR COMING!” I glowed
all day.
To share your story, send an email to: Judy Bennett at
[email protected]. We may not be able to publish all of the stories
we get, but we’ll love hearing from you.
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc. is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
RAINBOW NEWS
FALL CLASSES AND SCHEDULES
INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY CLASSES
Learn how to train your dog to become an Animal Assisted Therapy
Partner. Your dog should be at least 6 months old and familiar with
basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, etc.).
The course includes instruction on hand signals, getting your dog to
work for others, and an introduction to the games used in our
therapy work to help improve/enhance verbal and motor skills.
Register early! $60 FEE for 6 hours of instruction.
Pre-Registration is required
•• TUESDAY-SOUTH Peace Memorial Residence
3200 W 101st St. Evergreen Park IL
Tuesdays 10:00-11:30 am 4 – 1-1/2 hr sessions
Sept 23 – Oct 7 & 21 – Nov 4
•• WEDNESDAY–NORTH
Rainbow AAT
6042 Oakton Morton Grove IL 60053
Wednesdays 6:45 – 7:45 pm 6 – 1 hr sessions
Sept 17 – Oct 1 & 15 & 29 – Nov 5 & 19
DROP-IN CLASSES
The class includes an introduction to apparatus and medical
equipment (wheel chairs, walkers, etc.) used by the special
kids we visit. Also taught are, development of therapy dog
skills, socialization, specialized obedience skills, grooming
tips and dog activities (tricks, etc.) used to motivate the
special kids to reach their goals. Special efforts are made to
discuss and share skills and ideas, which will enhance each
team’s work at their therapeutic sessions.
Two sessions to choose from! Both sessions are held at
our facility in Morton Grove.
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1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm OR
2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
No Charge for members, applicants and their dogs.
$10 Charge for Guests. Proof of inoculation required.
FLYBALL CLASSES
•• WEDNESDAY–NORTH
Rainbow AAT
6042 Oakton Morton Grove IL 60053
Thursdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm 6 – 1 hr sessions
Sept 18 – Oct 2 & 16 & 30 – Nov 6 & 20
Flyball is a four dog relay race between competing teams.
One dog from each team, racing side by side, must go over
four jumps to the start/finish line where the next dog
eagerly waits.
•• SATURDAY- NORTHWEST K-9 Playtime Inc
403 Washington Blvd – Unit 1 Mundelein IL
Saturdays – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Sept 20 – Oct 4 & 18 – Nov 1 4 – 1-1/2 hr sessions
This exciting sport is open to any breed of dog 9 months or
older. Most dogs can learn Flyball because it combines
activities they love to do: chase, jump, catch, and retrieve.
•• SATURDAY – SOUTH Seguin Services
3100 S Central Cicero IL
Saturdays – 10:00 – 11:30 am
Sept 20 – Oct 4 & 18 – Nov 1 4 – 1-1/2 hr session
•• SUNDAY – SOUTH* Apollo Recreation Center
12521 S Kostner Ave Alsip, IL 60803
Sundays 1:00 – 2:30 pm 4 - 1-1/2 hr sessions
Sept 21 – Oct 5 & 19 – Nov 2
Classes are held at:
Rainbow AAT
6042 W. Oakton
Morton Grove, IL 60053
2nd & 4th Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.
7 classes per session
$45.00 per session (single class/guest training $10.00)
Rainbow members $30.00/session (2nd dog $5.00)
Contact Nancy Lind at 773-283-1129 or [email protected]
*Note: special 2-step registration procedure for Alsip class
***Note-special registration procedure for Alsip class – contact Alsip
Park District For registration call– 708-389-1003 - specify for
Rainbow AAT class. (Please-also call Dorida King to let her know you
have registered and for confirmation information)
Questions on our Intro to AAT classes?
Contact Dorida King at [email protected] or
(773) 736-9021 for more information OR go to our website at
www.rainbowaat.org and download a registration form.
If you are interested in volunteering for Rainbow
contact our Membership Director Robin Simborg
at : [email protected] or 773-383-1153.
Membership info can also be found on our website at
www.rainbowaat.org
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc. is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
RAINBOW NEWS
DONATIONS
IN MEMORY OF…
Karin Anderson (Carol Doberstein)
Cathy Cousins (Alice Gibberman, Rosemary Treacy)
“Mist” Davis (Robin Hart, Nancy Lind)
“Ely” Hall (Grace Vogt, Nancy Lind)
Harriet Hudoba (Michael Cole)
“Sam”Kaplan (Elisabeth Payne)
“Yogi” Krasno (Denise & James Hopp)
Richard Mann (Charlotte Projansky)
Sylvia McDaniels (Carol Nolan)
“Harley” Mylander (Denise Hopp)
Thomas Napady (Carol Nolan)
“Blazer” Nuween (Denise Hopp)
“Dolly” Perejda (Monida Grandona, Reba, & Teddy, Nancy Lind)
“Bill the Cat” Ricketts (Marilyn Abbey)
“Comet” Rosenbush (Debby & Curtis Levy)
“Wrigley” Tifany (Marilyn Abbey, Nancy Lind)
RAINBOW’S NEW
SPEAKERS BUREAU?
We encourage organizations
to learn more about Rainbow
Animal Assisted Therapy and
our programs throughout the
Chicago area. To schedule a
speaker, accompanied by a
registered therapy dog,
contact: Susan Burrows
(847) 297 3942. Donations
appreciated.
IN HONOR OF…
Maryon Gray’s retirement (Charles, Caryn & Sander Brissman, Nancy Lind)
Bruce Woyna (Benji & Peanut Swire)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO….
Robert Lando’s 2nd Birthday (Carole Koller)
RAINBOW’S UPCOMING EVENTS & SHOWS
HOPE TO SEE Y0U THERE!
RAINBOW’S AKC GOOD CITIZENSHIP TESTING DAY
Saturday, September 13th
10:00 am—2:00 p.m.
Rainbow AAT site at 6042 W. Oakton, Morton Grove, IL 60053
Cost:
Members $10.00 Non-members $20.00
Cost includes: 1) AKC Testing, 2) AKC registration form to obtain official AKC
certificate for all that pass, 3)bake sale goodies and 4) information tables for current
information on various dog service organizations/companies.
SPECIAL ONE DAY SEMINAR -- ELIMINATING THOSE 3 PESKY PROBLEMS
-Pulling on leash -Coming when called -Avoiding things on the ground PLUS
Building better communication with your dog buddy.
Saturday, September 20th 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Cost:
Members: $15.00
Non-members: $20.00
Contact Nancy Lind to pre-register: 773-283-1129 OR [email protected]
RAINBOW’S WEBSITE GETS
A MAKEOVER!
After much anticipation,
Rainbow has finally
launched its new and
improved website. With a
fresh new look, easier
navigation, and more
information, the reviews
have been very positive!
Visit the new site at
www.rainbowaat.org and
check it out. More features
such as different ways to
donate, upcoming Rainbow
events and a member only
section will be rolled out in
the months to come.
Stay tuned…
Rainbow’s website design
by:
Hannah Jennings Design
www.HannahJennings.com
RAINBOW’S ANNUAL BENEFIT—”A NIGHT AT THE RACES”
Come join us for a fun evening of harness racing, cocktails, dinner & raffle!
Friday, October 24th
Maywood Park Racetrack
Post-time: 7:20 p.m.
Cost: $30.00/person
SAVE THE DATE!!
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc. is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
RAINBOW NEWS
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc.
FALL 2008
BACK TO SCHOOL
6042 West Oakton Street
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
Address Correction Requested
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Chicago, IL
Permit No. 2312
Post master:
Dated Material!
Please deliver promptly!
Phone: 773-283-1129
Fax:
847-581-0233
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.rainbowaat.org
President: Nancy Lind
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is an organization that works with
trained, registered therapy dogs to help people, especially children, and
those with special needs to improve their health, activities of daily living
and quality of life.
We are volunteers working with and handling our own dogs.
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We develop training and registration programs to prepare dogs and
handlers.
We work in facilities such as schools, hospitals, residential centers,
and park districts throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
We develop programs to meet the needs and goals of each facility.
SUPPORTING RAINBOW ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
YES - I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO RAINBOW AAT (Please check option below)
In memory
In honor of
SPONSOR A PROGRAM:
Birthday/Special Greeting
Crisis Response Unit
K-4 Dog Safety
General Donation
Other
Dog Apprehension classes
YOUR NAME _________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS __________________________________________________CITY/ST/ZIP _________________________________
TELEPHONE ____________________________________EMAIL: _________________________________________________
NAME OF CARD RECIPIENT:_______________________________________________________________________________
RECIPIENT’S ADDRESS:________________________________________________CITY/ST/ZIP________________________
AMOUNT OF DONATION $ __________
Check enclosed (payable to Rainbow AAT)
VISA
MASTERCARD
CARD NUMBER: ____________________________________________________________EXP. _______________________
SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________________________DATE_______________________
Mail this form and payment to: Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, 6042 W. Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL 60053
An acknowledgement will be sent both to the donor and the recipient of the donation
YOU CAN ALSO DONATE ON OUR WEBSITE AT www.rainbowaat.org
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc. is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization