-Early Childhood Education Program-
Learn About Therapy Dogs and Disabilities

Number of children reached so far: 199

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Number of children reached so far: 199 〰️

Thank you for having us!
Pittsford United Nursery School (PUNS); Doodle Bugs! Brighton; Keshet Preschool; Montessori School of Rochester; Perinton Nursery School (PNS); Small Wonders Preschool; Summerville Nursery School; JCC Wolk Children’s Center

Therapy Dog Story Time and Visit         

At Your Preschool/Nursery School

Children will enjoy a reading of Try Again, Tilly! followed by small-group interactions with Tilly, a registered therapy dog who is blind. Through storytelling and guided engagement, children will learn

  • What a therapy dog is and how they help others

  • How to safely and respectfully interact with a dog

  • How we use the five senses to explore the world

  • That making mistakes is part of learning

  • To build empathy and kindness toward others

  • To appreciate differences and abilities

The program emphasizes kindness, empathy, confidence, and understanding differences while helping children explore the five senses in a meaningful, hands-on way. This experience supports social-emotional development and builds early literacy skills in a warm, engaging environment.

Facilitator:
Laura Poleshuck, PhD

Preschool Social-Emotional Development & Early Learning Standards

Social–Emotional Development

  • Demonstrates empathy and care for others (including animals)

  • Builds confidence through understanding mistakes as part of learning

  • Practices self-regulation and gentle behavior

Approaches to Learning

  • Shows curiosity and engagement during story time

  • Develops persistence and problem-solving skills

  • Participates in guided discussion and observation

Language & Literacy

  • Listens attentively to a read-aloud

  • Engages with story elements (characters, problem, solution)

  • Expands vocabulary related to emotions, senses, and animals

Cognitive Development

  • Uses the five senses to explore and describe experiences

  • Understands cause and effect (choices and outcomes)

  • Recognizes differences and similarities among individuals

Inclusion and Understanding Differences

  • Introducing concepts of disability and diverse ways of experiencing the world

Physical Development & Health

  • Learns basic animal safety and hygiene awareness