[NOBE-L] Guide Dogs in the Classroom

[sarah at sarahblakelarose.com]

It may help to give the student some control of her situation. Yes, it is your dog but accommodating childten with fears can make a lifetime of difference. Let her see the dog leave the room with someone else for a few moments so that she can have a moment to breathe. Tell her that you understand fear and tell her something you are afraid of and that you have had to learn how to live with. Then give her a strategy so that she can build some strength for deciding to let the dog back in the room: perhaps by counting to three or by thinking of something positive she can do when she feels afraid. Give her permission to draw at her desk or something else active--holding a toy does not release fear-induced energy.
It may also become necessary to transfer her to another 2nd grade class, but I would recommend involving her in that decision so that she feels she has control over whether to confront her fear or whether to handle it by transferring to Mrs. so-and-so's class, so that she does not feel rejected because of her fear.


Rev. Dr. Sarah Blake LaRose
sarah at sarahblakelarose.com
http://www.sarahblakelarose.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NOBE-L <nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Greg Aikens via NOBE-L
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 9:33 AM
To: National Organization of Blind Educators Mailing List <nobe-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Greg Aikens <gpaikens at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NOBE-L] Guide Dogs in the Classroom

That is tough. I often kept a soft crate in my classroom for my guide dog. I wonder if having the simple barrier of the crate between the dog and the student would help the student relax a little bit more.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 21, 2021, at 9:18 AM, Tara Abella via NOBE-L <nobe-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> For those teachers who have a guide dog in the classroom, I was wondering if any of you have dealt with severe dog phobias. I just received a new 2nd grade student Who has had previous negative experiences with dogs, and is so afraid of my guide dog, that every time she sees him she will either climb on adults and dig her fingernails into our arms, or run from the classroom. Aladdin is on tiedown in the classroom on his beanbag on the opposite side of the room from where she sits. We have explained his job, and myself, several other staff, and students in the school have reassured her that he will not harm her. She has observed him working and has also seen him off harness at the end of the day interacting with other students. I have tried giving her a stuffed toy that she likes that she can hug for comfort to replace the running behaviors and climbing on adults, but we are still having these issues.  I have had students with fears in the past, but typically the students quickly grow accustomed to him since he is so quiet and well behaved. Any suggestions on how to make her feel more comfortable and overcome this fear would be so helpful.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> 
> 
> Tara Abella
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