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

On today’s Solo Passages podcast, we’re joined by Tracy Buckley, the owner of Medfield Yoga here in Medfield, MA….Tracy is a certified yoga instructor and also is a Reiki Master.

Tracy and John discuss how Tracy originally came to practice Yoga for the past 20 years and the natural phenomena we all experience….creeping age and curiosity about “what is yoga; is it exercise?; what is “creating space” & don’t I always “think clearly?”; is there a body, mind, connection I can “feel”?; am I drawn to its potential for ?, something, more?”

Inspired by her life and those closest to her, Tracy has chosen to share her belief in yoga’s healing and meditative powers through physical postures, breathing exercises, being present in every action in every moment, helping to connect our bodies, mind and spirit to help us be present with many aspects of ourselves.

RESOURCES:

· Medfield Yoga - https://www.medfieldyoga.com

· Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial (research from the National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information at National Institute for Health) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230658/

On today’s podcast, John is joined by Rabbi Karen Landy, a Chaplain at NewBridge On The Charles in Dedham, MA and her Service Dog for The Ministry, Tamari, a 10-year old black Labrador retriever, specially trained and matched with Karen for work within ministry settings, geriatrics and health care.

Karen (Rabbi Landy) & Tamari work at the NewBridge On The Charles in Dedham, MA where Karen is a Chaplain and Tamari is at her side every day engaging with patients, residents, and staff to be that steady, furry companion who supports everyone!

John and Karen talk about resilience, 1-1 relationships, her calling to service, empathy and how true and meaningful Tamari, a loving, peaceful lab, is as a physical and emotional bridge between humans that inevitably brings our connection and purpose to light.

RESOURCES:

· NewBridge on the Charles – Senior Living on the Charles in Dedham, MA

· HABRI – Human Animal Bond Research Initiative

o Older Adults and Animal Programming –

· NEADS, World Class Service Dogs – accredited service dog organization, Princeton, MA