The
inspiration for the program was from
the personal love and comfort of having
a pet, researching and gaining knowledge,
and understanding the effects of pet
therapy in the educational setting. The
Delta Society research provides evidence
that animals in the classroom help children
overcome physical and emotional challenges.
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Mrs. Brenda Zabel, classroom
teacher, and Mrs. Beverly Bain, teacher
assistant, initiated the program in their
life skills classroom at Service High
School. Bain owns “Beauregard’s Best
Boy Bufford,” the dog. Bufford, Bain and
Zabel have been through intensive training
in order for Bufford to become a certified
therapy dog. Bufford has been
coming to school for over a year and the
students love him.
He is an excellent “therapy aide” at
Service. Several students have made
great strides in their ability to communicate.
In particular, one student has been
able to exercise some authority in giving
Bufford commands and assuring he
obeys. A couple of young men in the
program have gained immensely in their
verbal skills, both of them are able to
communicate better with people as a
result of their interactions with Bufford.
The collaboration between Service
High and Animal Food Warehouse was a
natural fit. One goal of the life skills program
is to integrate classroom learning
into the community setting. Animal Food
Warehouse provides an exceptional
opportunity for students to utilize their
math and communication skills. Bufford
accompanies the students on community
outings to Animal Food Warehouse with
Zabel and Bain.
The impact on the students, the
school and the business partner has
been immeasurable. The Animal Food
Warehouse’s staff have been caring and
enthusiastic when working with the students
and are willing to take the time to
assure individual understanding of the
financial transactions. The students are
gaining confidence through positive
community outings and the confidence
transfers to their classroom experiences.
Service High is privileged to have more
confident students thanks to Bufford,
Zabel, Bain and Animal Food
Warehouse.
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I had the pleasure of observing students
in the classroom and at Animal
Food Warehouse. Each student was
given a product that he/she was to select
(Bufford helps select since the products
are usually for him) and money to make
the purchase. The staff at Animal Food
Warehouse was fantastic, assisting the
students when they would ask for help
on a price check or the find an item.
Students are able to transfer the mathematical
and communication skills
learned in the classroom to the community
experience. A couple of students
elected to pool their money in order to
purchase the treat Bufford picked out, as
he does choose between items. Two
other students did the same to purchase
a toy. In both cases the students use
math and communication skills, they add
up their money total, subtract the amount
of the purchase to assure they would
have enough cash and to know how
much change they should receive back
from the cashier.
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