1. Sensory Friendly Learning;
A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc
I am Jeannie Bolstridge, a retired teacher and founder
of this non-profit. While supporting local teachers with their K-2
remedial students since 2008, I founded a 501 (c)(3) Georgia
Educational charity. This non-profit's mission is to strengthen and
encourage “different” learners at a young age so that they can
carry basic academic skills with them as they progress through
school. Dogs Help Kids, Inc has a growing Board of Directors
presently comprised of retired teachers and business owners.
Our advisory board includes our CPA, veterinarian, school
psychologist, and other retired teachers. One of several
interventions we support is the value of dogs to help some
children. Canine Assistive Technology is a young intervention
that is accepted in many states, but not recognized yet in Georgia.
Action Research would be a welcome and wonderful next step for

2. Sensory Friendly Learning;
A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc
There are too many young children between the
ages of 5 to 10 who are turned off to school
because they realize that they just can't keep up
with their peers. If these children give up on their
education now, where will they be in 5-10 years
from now? Some retired teachers saw this need.
Enter our Max the Dog;
These children gave up their recesses to practice
reading their Advanced Reading books to a dog.
Not only did Max seem to listen carefully to them,
but they enjoyed their reading more as they
squeezed, rubbed, and laid on this dog.

3. Sensory Friendly Learning;
A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc
During the 2010-2011 school year, I gave 20 hours
weekly going into the Ben Hill Primary school and
supporting the teachers who have invited Max and I into
their classrooms. Max and I have provided 1:1 tutoring
to those students identified by their teachers as being
their most needy students in the areas of basic reading,
math, and social skills. Dogs Help Kids, Inc. is a
member of the national R.E.A.D. Program. However, we
differ in the major protocol that we ask the teachers how
they would like us to tutor their children. We do not
supply materials; we come only to support teachers and
strengthen the students to give them the best chance at
success.

4. Sensory Friendly Learning;
A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc
Below is a Sample of our weekly schedule:
Monday Schedule
First Grade Teachers and Students
8:00-8:30 Dog Training at home
8:30-8:45 Gunter: Anaria
8:45-9:00 Sutton: Amber
9:00-9:15 Sutton: Jamie
9:15-9:30 Neal: Darriet
9:30-9:45 Neal: Luke
9:45-10:00 Slaven: Johnnie
10:00-10:15 Stokes: RaJon
10:15-10:30 Peck: Chloe
10:30-10:45 Stokes: Ricky
10:45-11:00 Silva-Nash: Cole
1:15-1:30 Jay: EIP student
1:30-1:45 Jay: EIP student
1:45-2:00 Barrs: Shemar
2:00-2:30 IEP service: Kiley and
Max under Marcus School BCBA guidelines

5. Sensory Friendly Learning;
A Partner Program of Dogs Help Kids, Inc
Our educational toolbag consists of the following practices:
-Identifying young students with learning differences and providing 1:1 tutoring during the
school day.
-Protocols from the developmental approach of DIR/Floortime, Dr. Stanley Greenspan.
-Canine Assisted Therapy incorporated into the student's school.
-Therapeutic Carting; Something New ! Our therapeutic canine carting model is almost
identical to many of the therapeutic riding centers around the country. Our modulated
protocols are consistent with the American Hippotherapy Association and NARHA (North
American Riding for the Handicapped Association). Although the dynamics of therapeutic
riding are different from therapeutic dog carting, our exercises offer a variety of learning
modules.
This is why tutoring with canine assisted therapy can be a valuable intervention with
learners who have ADHD or are on the Autism spectrum. This setup could be done in an
inside gym as well as outside.