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There have been measurable changes in the attitudes of students who took part in the program. Participating students identified
"moral and emotional issues" toward all life as the most important thing they had learned last year as compared to a control
group which identified regular school activities i.e. writing. The participating groups also fulfilled the regular school
expectations of "readin, writin and rithmatic". The depth of the GROWING program was an extra. A more comprehensive evaluation
is being considered this year and a year-long video record is being made. This record will also serve as a teaching and
revision tool throughout the year.
Six children who were terrified of dogs at the beginning of 2003 and took part in the classes from inside a puppy pen were able
to be in the same room as, and touch, the puppy before the end of the year.
One boy with a severe physical disability, who at first screamed at the sight of the pup, is now waiting to get a companion dog of his own.
All the children learned, in a practical way, how to behave safely around dogs. They practiced how to interact with and
approach a dog (when given permission by the owner and the dog). They all enjoyed experiencing some of the activities people
can do with their dogs and took part in motivational training of the puppy. Most importantly they took these messages home
with them. The Kindergarten class created a reading book about the development and training of the puppy. It became the
favourite book to take home because THEY were in it.
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Maisie talks about results
"Undoubtedly the high point for me in 2003 was the children's response to the idea of motivational training (particularly
clicker training) and the way the idea expanded and was developed by the teachers.
"We had lots of fun clicker training the teachers and the children assisted in training Nash. One six year old explained that
she was teaching her family to train their two dogs. I asked her how she had explained it. She said "I showed them how to
reward the things that they want the dogs to keep on doing so they will do them more often".
"The teachers assisted students to experiment with the idea of motivating their peers in the playground by praise and by reporting
good things they saw happening. The teachers linked this to the school anti-bullying program with great success. The children could
all see that even bullies do good things and you could make the good things happen more often by noticing them and commenting.
"The idea that the children are able to look at their own needs, along with the needs of other living things, is extremely
powerful when it is real-life experience and they have the puppy or human baby to relate the theory to. The children are
"hooked" from day one and the teachers say that students who have taken very little part in classes in the past, are eager
contributors to discussions.
"When we started the program I had no idea of the depth and breadth of the learning opportunities which would arise.
It's been mind expanding for me.
"It was wonderful to receive some funding from Healthpact. Yet, despite high levels of support from parents, teachers, and
everyone who has heard of the program, securing the funds to develop the program further is a challenge."
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