Trabuco Canyon News August 1999
A Child's Best Friend
| The Kindergarten and First Grade students at R.S.M. Montessori School are learning valuable lessons in unconditional love provided by dogs that serve many purposes as both working dogs and companions. The Children were introduced to an eight-month-old guide dog puppy in training by the name of "Hatfield." He is being raised by Mary Jo Egus and her family who hope that some day he will skillfully guide a blind person. They also met "Kalee" and her visually impaired partner Tom Hutchinson. The children asked questions that were really well thought through. Questions like: "How can you tell your money apart?" and "How do you know what time it is?" as well as many other questions addressing Ton and "Kalee's lifestyle. Tom was fantastic with the children in endearing each of them and answering all of their questions. Tom and "Kalee" who live | |
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in Odgen Utah, are visiting Denise Archdeacon and her family who raised "Kalee" and set the foundation for the important job tht she is doing now. The students are also enjoying regularly scheduled visits by "Holly" and "Lass" who are career changed guide dog puppies now involved in giving joy to others through a Pet Therapy Program. |
| "Holly", a Labrador Retriever and Denise Archdeacon along with "Lass," a Golden Retriever and Mary Jo Egus are involved in sharing their "puppy love" with children in schools and day care centers, the elderly in retirement homes and nursing facilities, as well as hospital patients. Research has shown that people can benefit physically, emotionally, intellectually, and philosophically from a relationship with a dog that can offer unconditional love and nonjudgemental acceptance. The studens are having a wonderful time with "Holly" and "Lass". The class goes on |  |
| walks with the dogs and the students are
able to interact with the dogs by throwing balls,
brushing them and just hugging them. One of the students,
Danielle Currie said that "Sometimes you can't have
a dog at home because someone could be allergic to the
animal or your family just does not want a pet so having
a dog at school is great!" To schedule a visit with "Holly" and "Lass" or for more informatio on raising a guide dog puppy, call 589-0668 or visit the website www.serraschool.org/guidedogs. To find our more information on enrolling your child at R.S.M. Montessori School, call 589-6440 or visit our web site at www.rsmmontessori.com. |