Bill and I are both professionals in the Mental Health arena. He is a school Principal/Psychologist/Special Education Director of C.I.T.E. school in Providence, RI. I am an LMSW, formally the Executive Director of TEEG, a community service agency in Thompson, CT where I worked closely with vulnerable families and children in the Child Welfare system. Currently, I am the Director of the Career Center at a local high school. This background about who are is offered to help you understand the populations of people we work with every day – and the value our poodles have brought to our work. We have both experienced incredible poodle-assisted transformations in the individuals we work with. Beyond my day-to-day work I frequently get called to area schools in need of grief counseling and support – more for our poodles then my license or expertise!
We understand how valuable a poodle can be. With their hypo-allergic coat, innate empathy and people-centric nature, these dogs can be an incredible resource to support groups and individuals with a wide variety of physical health, mental health or behavioral health challenges.
Sharing our pups to do this work with families who have a special need, or individuals who would like to extend their own practice of professional work or volunteerism with a therapy dog takes a thoughtful approach to puppy-rearing. Socialization of our kids is a priority from DAY ONE. As day-old puppies, we handle each one, making human contact the most important part of their day.
As W’nW pups grow, we have a large contingent of ‘Puppy Cuddlers’ who play a big part in helping us to raise the most grounded, emotionally healthy, well-socialized pups around. The end result of this effort is a dog who can go anywhere.
We have worked with our dogs in a variety of therapeutic environments and they excel everywhere they go … from nursing homes to adolescent mental health programs, to schools for children with disabilities, and programs for children with Autism. Wool ‘n Wind dogs are the most empathetic, compassionate kids on the block!
