What a great community service opportunity for kids in 4-H. They get to spend time with dogs while helping them with their training to become certified Bright Spot Therapy Dogs.
With more and more schools realizing the benefits of using therapy dogs in their programs, we decided to add kids to our required training course. This is a win-win for all parties involved. Our class participants learn the added skills and techniques needed to work with children, and the kids are able to fulfill their community service requirements for 4-H. 
Our trainers came up with this great idea during one of our training committee meetings. We all felt strongly that we needed to add this piece to our training curriculum, but, unlike simulating patients using adult class helpers as models in wheelchairs and walkers, there really was no way to simulate a child. Trainer Tibby Chase, having worked extensively with 4-H groups in the past, posed the idea to the committee. At last Sunday’s therapy dog training class, the idea was put into practice with great success.
We are grateful to the 4-H kids who enthusiastically participated in class. Grateful to their parents, too, who brought them to the training facility on Sunday morning. Turned out the parents, as well, became involved – as new model patients for our dogs and their handlers to work with. A fun and instructive time was had by all!