This is why I see a lot of hope. The science and success stories of service and therapy dogs had intrigued me for some time. Over the past year, that interest turned into a passion of finding ways to facilitate the successes in both schools and communities. When Garrett Gann first got his service dog Noah, I attended training with Garrett and his mother Jessica at the Wilderwood Service Dog Center. Wilderwood specializes in training dogs for individuals with disabilities. To qualify for a service dog, a prescription that a service dog was medically necessary for Garrett was required from a Neurologist . Over the course of the past year, Noah had been trained for his service dog job and the last several months specifically trained for Garrett’s needs. Information and videos from Jessica and school were provided to give insight to the center’s director that was used to design Noah’s training. Our training focused on Jessica and me becoming licensed handlers for Noah. More

P.A.D.D. Inc. is a group of parents, friends, and teachers of individuals with developmental disabilities coming together to lend support, help educate themselves, and the community, and advocate for their loved ones. P.A.D.D, Inc meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM at the St Francois Co. Board for the Developmentally Disabled, 2068 N Washington, Farmington, MO 63640. You can learn more about the support and work of PADD, Inc by logging on to www.paddgroup.com. Be sure to check out the links to other sites. More

Throughout ancient times to present day we have shared our lives with companion animals, however the human-animal bond can be a healing force mentally and physically. On a personal level, I experience the “good medicine” that my furry friends bring to me mentally and physically daily. Whether it is walking the trails with my lab-retriever mix Golden, or grooming and riding my paint horse Chero, it is not hard to recognize all the physical benefits I receive. As far as the mental aspect goes, there is nothing greater than coming home to my dog’s smiling face and the horses running with the mini ponies whinnying! How could I be sad or stressed with that kind of welcome? Here I had thought I was taking care of them, but could it be the other way around?  More