Nellie’s Schoolhouse is a unique program that bring dogs and children together. Hear what some parents and volunteers have to say about the program.
We are so immensely grateful for Nellie’s Schoolhouse! Tom Richards has been a wonderful source of knowledge and a fantastic educator and mentor for our JCHAI community for the past several years.
Tom has been versatile and accommodating, adapting his offerings to include virtual sessions as well as real life opportunities. Along with his own dogs and a group of dedicated volunteers and their canine companions, Nellie’s Schoolhouse provides an amazing opportunity for our members to learn how to work with dogs in terms of socializing, rearing, grooming, and training.
Tom’s pet therapy sessions have taught our members everything from the appropriate way to approach a dog in the community to learning the skills necessary to work as a pet sitter. He has also provided unique educational sessions about various capacities in which dogs can be trained to serve, including detecting medical illnesses, rescuing humans from catastrophes, and serving as service animals for individuals with disabilities.
Tom’s innate way of relating to his audience lends to a truly enjoyable and comforting environment conducive to learning and positive shared experiences. Our members are always eager to hear updates about Tom’s own 3 dogs, especially his newest family member, his Newfoundland named Emmi. We all enjoy all the updates about her growth and training, and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet her in person!
We adore everyone at Nellie’s Schoolhouse (humans and pups alike!), and look forward to our continued collaborations for years to come!
~ Andi Oxman, Program Director, JCHAI Transitions, Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence
It was incredible to see Danny chilling out on the couch with young Zeke nearby in the same room. Only three months ago, Danny hid in his bedroom under the covers when good old Gus showed up wagging his tail for the first visit. Now Danny is proudly interacting with not just one but two retrievers.
Danny’s anxiety with dogs has impeded group activities that we all take for granted. Each visit with the dogs he has made successful gains in overcoming his fear. Many relatives, friends, and neighbors own dogs. Activities such as waiting for the school bus, holiday dinners with cousins, walking in the neighborhood etc..all potentially involve being around various dogs. Learning and successfully interacting with dogs will surely improve Danny’s quality of life.
~Lisa Kogan, parent of one of the children in our program
And the terrific thing about dogs is that they are loyal companions, non judgmental, and happy to please. Danny feels respected by the dogs and he respects them too. For a child always trying hard to prove himself to other people, his dog therapy sessions have become a very positive experience. Now he cheers when the dogs show up. It is a true weekly highlight. He holds his head up high with a feeling of accomplishment.
In my short time working with Nellie’s Schoolhouse, I have watched my dog, Millie, connect with children and young adults who are in many different places on the spectrum. Clenched hands become unclenched; kids afraid to touch her, are able to brush her; non-verbal kids pay very close attention to her when they walk her; verbal ones ask questions about her behavior and habits. Somehow, Millie reaches kids where they are and takes them a little farther.
Our most steady client is a fifth grader who is extremely verbal but has difficulty connecting with others. We have been working with him since January. He was very frightened of touching Millie and often wore gloves when brushing her or stroking her. He is now able to brush her and touch her without gloves and calls Millie “his dog.” She has become a member of his family and he has developed genuine affection for her. His goal is to get a dog of his own.
I feel part of our success is due to the individual relationship Nellie’s Schoolhouse develops with its clients as well as the consistency of regular visits. We ask for a “buy in” from all members of the family so that they can feel part of the progress. The steps we take may seem small but to many they are giant leaps and they often happen in relatively short periods of time. It has been an honor and a pleasure to watch the magic that happens when dogs connect with autistic kids.
~Kit Feldman, member of the board, volunteer and freelance writer of non-fiction, including Culinary Canines: 30 Chefs Cook for Their Dogs.
Evan loves working with the dogs (Nellie and Gus) and their trainer. In the short time that he’s worked with the dogs he has become more confident using the commands and interacting with the dogs and has begun to transfer and apply skills at home. He beams each time he successfully gets her to complete a task. When one of the dogs first licked Evan, he was so distracted by the touch of the dog’s tongue that it was hard for him to focus. This has since passed and become a part of his routine when he works with the dogs. Using natural interactions with the dogs we have worked on sensory goals and social goals in a low stress way. Evan has begun playing and interacting with our family pets with more confidence and frequency, even asking to walk the dogs, a chore/task previously reserved for the rest of the family.
~Nina Butler- Roberts, member of board, parent and teacher of high school science at Germantown Academy.
Seeing Ira interact with xxx was an amazing experience. His eye gaze, interpersonal skills and expressive language were on point. He appeared to enjoy the interaction and was at ease. Really amazing to see!
~Heather Van Horn, board member and Head of Lower Merion Autism Program.
As a parent of twin boys on the autism spectrum, we have considered the possibility of a dog in our family for several years. We’ve read the studies showing the great connections that can take place for kids, and my husband and I both grew up with family dogs. However, while one of our sons loves all things animals, Nathan has a fear of dogs. Tom, and Nellie’s Schoolhouse, was recommended to us as a way of testing the ideas of a dog out with the family. Tom, Gus and Zeke have been coming to our home weekly now for about 2 months. Nathan’s comfort level has increased in a way I didn’t think would be possible in such a short time. He walks, pets and interacts with the dogs more and more every visit. In the next few weeks we will bring home a new puppy, and Tom will certainly be part of this process as we train and incorporate a new member of the family into our lives. Tom’s warm and gentle ways with his dogs are exceeded only by his warmth with our boys. We look forward to the next chapter!
Karen Misher, parent and founder of A Step Up Academy
We never knew how badly we needed Gus and Tom until they became a part of our programming at TALK. All of our students have severe language disorders. When they first arrive, many have experienced years of failure because of this struggle to communicate. Imagine what it is like. Think about being in a room with other people for even five minutes without the ability to express basic thoughts.
Gus and Tom have the extraordinary ability to help rectify all of that. The emotional bond our students have with Gus transcends their communication difficulties, anxiety, sensory and learning challenges. Gus accepts them as they are and, though wordless, the communication between child and dog is very real.
Beyond the emotional connection, learning how to care for and train Gus has gone a long way towards building self-confidence in our students. When our students work with Gus, they experience themselves as competent — perhaps for the first time in their lives. They are so proud to show their newly found skills to their classmates and then smother Gus with affection.
Nothing brings more joy and excitement to our students than knowing Gus and Tom are on their way for a visit. The whole story can be read in their contagious smiles!!
I am forever grateful to Tom for creating Nellie’s Schoolhouse. What a gift it is to our students!
Warmest regards,
Melinda Kotler
Executive Director
TALK Institute and School
