Lincoln Centennial Public School Therapy

In 2011, Lincoln Centennial Public School approached Sparkwatch to provide Certified CGN Therapy dogs for the ESL and Special Needs children and once again we rose to the weekly challenge. This time however the dogs had to not only accept petting by strangers but to also accept children while the dogs were in a down/stay position. These specially trained dogs must accept children at eye level and not show dominance, fearfulness, or aggression.

Very few dogs can provide this kind of therapy. We are very proud to say we have approximately 7 dogs in this program and the children’s reading skills have improved immensely in a very short period of time. The children have learned to sit beside the dogs who are in a down/stay, pet them, and read their chapter books while their handlers are nearby. This program has become a great success and the children look forward to Wednesday mornings each and every week.