This phase is one component of a comprehensive plan for the consumer's growth and development. Another phase consists of Wildwood employees who bring their therapy dogs to work to visit the Wildwood School students. Outside the door are hooks that sport the Therapy Dogs picture that is present on that day. Teachers and students come down to visit with these dogs, usually as a reward for a job well done, or an incentive to improve behavior. Spending special moments with these dogs can decrease this student's anxiety and help their focus.
Improved behavior can last from an hour to several weeks or more.
Students strengthen their communication skills and one child is actually laughing for the first time. In the Wildwood Day Habilitation Program, staff members and their therapy dogs are taking students to Ann Lee Home in Colonie. They take pride in what they are doing because they can see how much the elderly enjoy their visits. A speech Therapist at The Wildood School Young Adult Program is devising protocols to use pets in direct therapy to stimulate communication in students with limited verbal skill areas. Adult recreation has sponsored activites to farms and dog training facilities and other related therapeutic activities with animals.