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Allen-Area Community & School Dog Programs
Below is an annotated resource list of free and very
low-cost dog programs offered by organizations and government
agencies in the Allen area. ALLen Reads encourages schools
and community groups to look at offering one of these programs for
their students or group members as a way to expand participation in
ALLen Reads. If you are interested in scheduling a dog-related
program for your group or school, please contact the organization
directly to make arrangements. For more information about ALLen
Reads, click here.
Canine
Freestyle Dancing & Dog Obedience
Education Program
Presenter & Program Info:
Ms. T.C. Cappel and her Dancing Dog(s)
Ms. Cappel is a former school and dance teacher, and
has done many programs for PTA and other school groups. She is
affiliated with the Top Dog Obedience School (http://www.topdogdallas.com/)
She educates children about dogs and includes a short dance piece at
the end of her program. She often uses two of her dogs in this type
of program, Filé and Gumbo. (She is from southern Louisiana, and
these are Cajun names.) Programs are usually about 25-30 minutes
long, and she can do more than one show at a school.
Age / Grade Range: Kindergarten – 6th
grade.
Facility Requirements: The
dancing part of the program must be done on a carpeted surface so
that the dog(s) doesn’t / don’t slip. The elementary schools’
community rooms or the library might be good locations as these are
usually carpeted.
Availability: Generally Ms.
Cappel is only available daytimes as she teaches and does other
dog-related training at night and on the weekends.
Fee: Travel expense + small
donation. Ms. Cappel lives in Garland, so travel costs should be
minimal.
Contact Info: Email is
preferred:
tcemail1@verizon.net ; Phone: (972)
272-4462
Web links: Top Dog Training
School:
http://www.topdogdallas.com/Trainers.htm
Read about T.C. & see her photo on this page.
Last October the Dallas Morning News ran a “Dancing
Dogs” story. You can read the article, which includes a photo and
quotes from Ms. Cappel, one of the dog handlers who performed at the
Texas State Fair, by
clicking here.
You can also see T.C. with her other dog Shrek at
this link:
http://www.pawsforapplauseagility.com/intermediate.htm
Guide Dogs Educational Programs
Presenter & Program Info:
Volunteers with the Guide Dogs organization can give programs
about how assistance dogs for the visually-impaired are “raised” and
trained. Some will bring a guide dog in training (typically younger
than 18 months) or one that is “retired.”
Age / Grade Range: All ages
Facility Requirements:
Varies by program
Availability: Varies by
volunteer – some are available daytime, others in the evenings
Fee: None
Contact Info: Carey Leslie;
Phone (preferred): 972-699-8734; Email:
celeslie@tx.rr.com
OR Polly Montgomery: Phone: 972-727-0493; Email:
polly_montgomery@allenisd.org
Web link:
www.guidedogs.org (no Web
site for state group)
K-9 Police Dogs Educational
Programs
Presenter & Program Info:
Allen Police Department program under the direction of K-9 Patrol
Sergeant Billy Holbert.
Age / Grade Range: Programs for K-12.
Larger assembly programs preferred because of limited availability
Facility Requirements:
Police dog (a trained German shepherd) is an important part of this
program.
Availability: Limited due
to K-9 officers work schedules (these officers work late nights and
early mornings).
Fee: None
Contact Info: Sgt. Billy
Holbert; Email:
bholbert@cityofallen.org
Obedience / Rally Obedience
Demonstration
Presenter & Program Info:
Elizabeth Hezeau, Training Director, Center for Canine Sports
(http://www.centerforcaninesports.com/
) or possibly another obedience instructor. Trainer can
present either an obedience / rally obedience education /
demonstration program. Will bring a dog.
Age / Grade Range:
Elementary grades – should be old enough to watch
and listen to presentation with dog.
Facility Requirements: Will
discuss with school group
Availability: Daytime
Fee: A small donation to
cover expenses, including mileage from Garland, is appreciated.
Contact Info: Email:
info@centerforcaninesports.com;
Phone: Elizabeth Hezeau: 972-530-5383; Address: Center for Canine
Sports, 300 S. Kirby Street, Suite 101, Garland, TX 75044
Pet Care / Responsible Pet
Ownership Educational Programs
Presenter & Program Info:
Vikki Francis, City of Allen Animal Control
Supervisor
Program will be tailored to audience.
Age / Grade Range: All ages & grades
Facility Requirements:
Varies depending on type of program
Availability: Varies –
depends on her schedule
Fee: None
Contact Info: Email:
vfrancis@cityofallen.org; Phone:
214-509-4378
Web link: Allen Animal Control
http://www.cityofallen.org/police/ac.htm
Guide Dogs Educational Programs
Presenter & Program Info:
Volunteers from the Guide Dogs organization, can give
programs about how guide dogs for the visually-impaired are “raised”
and trained. Most will bring a guide dog in training (typically
younger than 18 months) or one that is “retired.”
Age / Grade Range: All ages
Facility Requirements:
Varies by program
Availability: Varies by
volunteer – some are available daytime, others in the evenings
Fee: None
Contact Info: Carey Leslie;
Phone (preferred): 972-699-8734; Email:
celeslie@tx.rr.com
Web link:
www.guidedogs.org (no Web
site for state group)
Therapy Dogs Educational Programs
(1) Allen Presenters & Program Info: Jan & Jeff
Phelps
Mrs. and/or Mr. Phelps present programs about therapy
dogs and also include brief information about what a puppy raiser
does to prepare a dog for the next level of training with Canine
Companions for Independence. (Canine Companions for Independence
provides trained service dogs that assist people with disabilities
other than visual impairment.) They can bring one or both of their
dogs (Sollie & Kitter) if the school allows. The Phelps take their
dogs regularly to local nursing homes and the Senior Center.
Age / Grade Range:
Grades 3-6 and Adults
Facility Requirements: A
classroom or smaller room works better than an auditorium or
cafeteria for this type of program.
Availability: Varies. Mr. &
Mrs. Phelps are available during the days and also some evenings.
Fee: No fee
Contact Info: Email is
preferred:
jjphelps_1@tx.rr.com; Phone:
972-390-2535
Web links:
Though this is not a service dog program, you may
wish to read about
Canine Companions for Independence
because this program will be mentioned in the program.
(2) Barbara Wilson, a leader in the Heart
of Texas Therapy Dogs organization (http://hotthdogs.org/)
about scheduling an educational program for older children or teens
about therapy dogs. To email
her, please click here. You
may view
Ms. Wilson’s dog Tina at
http://www.librarydogs.com/Texas-Tina.html.
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