Thursday, May 17, 2012

Make It a H.A.B.I.T.


Given that we're donating a portion of all our eco-friendly and/or fair trade See Beautiful products to Guide Dogs of America this month, we find it only fitting to highlight wonderful pets and service dogs who constantly make this world a better place. H.A.B.I.T. (Human Animal Bond In Tennessee) and the people and pets involved see and create a whole lot of beautiful! We feel lucky to know the wonderful H.A.B.I.T. service dog, Keric and her family Ms. Vicki McKernan! Getting to showcase the work H.A.B.I.T. dogs do in schools is even more special because, let's face it, when children and dogs get together there's not much more beautiful in the world. 
Keric overseeing a literature circle. We believe he's reciting poems from Love That Dog by Sharon Creech.
Keric and four other dogs are part of the St. John Neumann Catholic School family. Visiting children throughout the week these four-legged school members help create a friendly, relaxed, respectful and compassionate environment for learning and receiving belly rubs. The dogs inclusion in the classes provides consistency and security while modeling respect for others (including animals - clearly). Vicki McKernan says, "The medical world acknowledges that petting a dog will lower your blood pressure and respiration rate, but a kid just feels the unconditional love from his furry friend and is reassured of his worth and his confidence rises." Additionally, children who may be struggling with a specific skill in school can reach over and pet their trusted sidekick and try again; as "time with the dog" often reduces the stress associated with the task at hand.
We imagine this H.A.B.I.T. dog is cheering on the brilliant reading of this young lady. Do you feel it too?
Mmmmm....to be a dog.
It should not be overlooked that these wonderful dogs belong to wonderful people. Owners go through rigorous and continued training and meetings to ensure the safety of their service dogs and the people who their service dogs help to see beautiful! Thank you so much to the dedication of these owners! 
Thanks for all the life lessons you share by being you, Keric!
It makes us wish every child could have these wonderful opportunities. It sort of makes us wish we could go back to school.  

Wanna learn more about H.A.B.I.T.? Visit HERE
Wanna go back to school in this type of learning environment? Us too. We haven't figured out how to do this. Stay tuned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you looking for a tangible reminder to see beautiful, or know someone who needs one? Check out our See Beautiful products (and feel good knowing a portion of proceeds from every purchase is donated to charity. This month a portion of all proceeds will be donated to Guide Dogs of America. Click HERE.

8 comments:

  1. I LOVE the dedication of these owners and their dogs. What a wonderful experience for everyone. I am going to give our newly rescued Golden some time, then have him checked for the right personalities for becoming a school/nursing home/ etc. dog. Our school has been blessed with several HABIT dogs over the years and I have witnessed the benefits. Thank you for sharing another blessed organization.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know my best buddy is a service/therapy/Search and Rescue dog.  My MOM goes with my buddy Bert to the hospital every Wednesday and they always start in the pediatrics unit.  Bert has brought so much comfort to these sick little one (and adults too).  He also goes to school.  All the kids just love him, and who wouldn't.  I don't do stuff like that.  But I do read stories to the kids at church.  And I play with them.  And I love it.  HABIT is a great organization.  MOM says she wishes she could go back to school and have this experience.  I keep telling her she is doing school stuff and I am there every night on the couch with her helping her study.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for showcasing the H.A.B.I.T. progarm.  The dogs, with their wonderful owners, create wonderful and relaxed environments in classrooms:   ideal conditions for students to learn and gain confidence.  We are lucky to have this program at our school!

    ReplyDelete
  4. People can see things much clearer looking through the eyes of a canine!...:)JP

    ReplyDelete
  5.  Beautifully put! That really could have been the whole post. Thanks for stopping by and happy seeing beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6.  Thank YOU for all YOU do with the H.A.B.I.T. Program! It's like we have a celebrity commenter! You're right, the dogs, owners, and children are the perfect storm of awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  7.  Goose, you're amazing. I have no doubt you bring so much happiness to the lives of others. You do provide that beautiful service. You help so many see beautiful all the time!

    ReplyDelete
  8.  We totally agree! That would be amazing to see what Mr. Jack dishes out in the form of love and golden awesomeness to others. Give both puppies belly rubs.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts & helping others see beautiful too!