Buddy’s PALS Pet Assisted Learning is an educational program that brings highly trained dogs and handlers into classrooms and other educational settings to assist with learning. Our program provides educational support as we enhance students' learning experiences. Buddy's PALS provides both classroom and individual learning opportunities with students experiencing many program benefits:
- Improved
reading and math skills: students are motivated to learn more when working with our PALS.
- Enhanced confidence and social skills: students interact with adult handlers and PALS.
- Increased attendance: parents report their children want to go to school!
- Assists children in learning: compassion, responsibility, respect, reduced fear, and kindness towards animals. Buddy’s PALS now participates in many Lansing area schools with new schools requesting our service daily. We offer a Buddy’s PALS team training program for new recruits to fulfill requests for our service. Dogs and handlers go through extensive training before they enter the program. First, dogs must demonstrate they have mastered the basic commands (sit, down, stay, come, off, heel and leave it). Dogs are also temperament tested to ensure they are suitable for the school environment. In the school, the team helps students understand their curriculum and assists students in many other areas. Our mission is to support the education of young people in our community. It takes a village to raise every child, and Buddy’s PALS promises to be there to provide comfort and growth every step of the way.
