Today, we’re joined by Kelley Kennedy, special education teacher in Medfield’s Wheelock School (grades 2 & 3) and her Assistance Dog for the Classroom, Franklin. Kelley and Franklin have been together for 6 years and were matched together after a rigorous training and matching process through the NEADS World Class Service Dog organization in Princeton, MA

Franklin is Wheelock school’s ambassador of good will and helps Kelley support students who may have a learning disability overcome challenging writing or language skills or reading comprehension…..he’s a “reinforcer” who rewards students for achieving; Franklin is also a teacher who demonstrates patience and compassion, patiently waiting for his turn to “visit” with his head resting gently on a student’s leg…only when asked, yet with expressive eyebrows he becomes that loveable, furry tool who supports learning, compassion, resilience and empathy simply by his presence.

Kelley and Franklin embody Solo Passages premise that kindness, resilience, empathy, compassion, and mindfulness can be learned and enhanced through the gentleness and leadership found in teachers overall and also within teachers using a service dog for the classroom, or a lovable furry tool!

RESOURCES:

· NEADS, World Class Service Dogs – www.neads.org