Dogs Helping Kids

This month we meet Tracey Berridge, SCAS member and founder of North Devon charitable trust Dogs Helping Kids - an organisation that uses dogs to help teach children and teenagers about non-violence, empathy, respect, kindness and trust.

Tell us a bit about yourself...

Whilst studying for my MSc postgraduate degree in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at Southampton University in 2001, I became interested in learning more about animal-assisted therapy and why children were often cruel to their beloved pets. During my research  I got to know Paul Owens, a positive dog trainer (like myself), who is based in Los Angeles, and who runs an organisation called Paws for Peace.

Paws for Peace uses rescue dogs to teach children non-violence, as well as how to look after and train dogs. At the end of the programme these dogs are all guaranteed adoption. I discovered that there were many similar organisations across America, but at that time none in the UK.

A year later, I started a two-year postgraduate academic research project of my own that confirmed the tremendous benefits for children from introducing a dog into a school classroom.

What is the aim of Dogs Helping Kids?

Dogs Helping Kids (D.H.K.) was set up in 2004 and is North Devon’s unique charity. We are dedicated to using highly trained dogs to help teach children non-violence, empathy, respect, kindness, love, responsibility, friendship and trust. It is our vision to have a dog working and helping in every school in the United Kingdom.

What services do you offer children and teenagers?

• Dogs in schools as classroom assistants: The School Dogs are a group of highly trained dogs who have been rigorously assessed and are currently working in the local schools with children.
• Canine therapy dogs: These dogs have been highly trained and assessed to work on a one-one basis with children and teenagers who are victims of violence, have behavioural issues, have been bullied at school, are scared of dogs or who are in one of the local children’s hospices.
• Educational courses for teenagers on dog training and behaviour: We specialise in teenagers with challenging behaviour, such as emotional, social or behavioural difficulties.
• Educational talks for schools, colleges and youth groups: What is a dog, how to be a responsible dog owner, house rules when living with a dog, prevent a bite, reading dog body language, the use of positive training for dogs, and how to have fun with you dog.
• Puppy-proofing children: Parental guidance on children and dogs living in harmony in the family home. Prepare your children for the arrival of your new puppy and teach your children house rules with you new puppy – both are vitally important.
• Your dog and your baby: Advice for expectant parents on preparing your dog for living in harmony with your new baby.

What are your future plans for the charity?

We recently launched our first-ever fundraising appeal, and hope to raise enough money to allow our work to continue and expand. Even if one child’s behaviour is changed we will feel that our work has been worthwhile. Dogs in schools or similar educational establishments should be viewed as a very beneficial educational aid and one that should be embraced.

More information

Email: tracey@tberridge.fsnet.co.uk

Website: Our new website www.dogshelpingkids.co.uk is currently under construction and will be available soon. In the meantime, you can find a summary of our services at: www.puppygurus.co.uk/dogs-helping-kids.php