Summer Doggie Time Teaches South Colonie Special Needs Students About Animals

july/august 2011 

“Doggie Time” has become a popular part of the South Colonie summertime special needs program at both the elementary and high school levels. At the end of each day’s art classes, the children have a chance to learn about how to behave and interact with animals. Their favorite time is “cuddle time” with Princess Buttercup and Wesley, two little mixed breed "rescue" dogs that belong to Colonie Central High School art teacher, Thomasa Nielsen. Students learn about voice tone and its impact on animals. They learn about using "gentle touch" when petting and how to let the dogs come to them, instead of jumping impulsively after the animals. Students sit in a circle cross legged while the dogs wander from lap to lap, snuggling and cuddling. Students who want to spend more time with the dogs and who have demonstrated "good" behavior” get to help walk the dogs with Mrs. Nielsen.