Teaching people how to live via the animal kingdom

By Lissa Ann Wohltmann
Edmond Life & Leisure
Children can learn a lot from animals. They learn empathy, responsibility, manners, compassion and even how to treat other people.

Penny Nichols was at least one person who thought this was important enough to explore. Therefore, she and a few others launched Creatures and Kids, Inc.

Since 2001, the people associated with this nonprofit organization have been helping children stay out of trouble. At the same time these same children are given life’s little lessons families once taught one another in the good ol’ days of yesteryear.

Today, not all children live in a loving two-parent home. They may live in a shelter or in a large poverty-stricken household where the paltry time and/or money available cannot be spent on all children equally. Any extra money is spent paying the electric bill and any extra time is used to catch up on sleep or tackling a second or third job. Therefore, a child doesn’t learn the basic social skills necessary to keep brutal aggression at bay.

“Creatures and Kids, Inc. is dedicated to utilizing animals to instill positive character qualities in youth,” Nichols said. “It is devoted to humane education and violence prevention.”

Loretta Caram also thought this 3-year-old establishment was a worthy cause.  Therefore, she and her dogs took classes for therapy animal certification at Dogtopia, 3724 E. Second St., near Interstate 35. Now Caram takes her Sheltie, Bailey, to a battered womens’ shelter – or temporary home – to help the children.

Twice a month, Caram and Bailey initially taught the children simply how to pet and brush dogs. At first, many of the children were shy, sad and scared. Now when they see Bailey, some of the children enthusiastically run up to this miniature Lassie look-a-like and smother the dog with kisses.

Since Caram and Bailey have been showing up, the children are opening up more to the on-site psychologist which makes helping them easier.

“If we can teach children to be kind to animals, they will be kind to others,” Caram explained.

It’s been well documented that many hardened criminals got their malevolent start with harming animals.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “someone who commits animal abuse may have serious psychological problems.”

Jeffrey Dahmer killed and strangled neighborhood cats. Ted Bundy tortured animals as a teenager and Son of Sam, David Berkowitz, shot a neighbor’s dog.

Also proven is a clear link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

“One study found that animals were abused in 88 percent of the homes in which a child was abused. Another study found that 83 percent of families reported for animal abuse also had children who are at high risk of abuse or neglect,” stated the ASPCA. “Although most of the abuse toward the animals came from the parents, about a quarter of abused children abuse animals.”

The volunteers at Creatures and Kids are trying to abate that abusive cycle with different types of pets.

Albert Schweitzer, the famed humanitarian, missionary and medical doctor, knew the link between the treatment of animals and the treatment of people.

“Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless,” he is quoted as saying, “is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives.”

Creatures and Kids needs more animal/person teams to go out and help others through its therapeutic animal intervention program. If you would like to help make this section of the world just a little more peaceful, contact Creatures and Kids, 478-8550 or www.creaturesandkids.org.

Together, you and your pet can help bring about change in a child’s life.

By Gina A. Dabney – Oklahoma Gazette

Sit and stay are common commands that a dog can learn while respect and responsibility towards animals are what children learn from Creatures and Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to humane education and violence prevention. Since 2002, the group has been spreading their message in a variety of ways including through the Being Aware, Responsible and Kind (BARK) program, working with animal rescue groups, and through educational outreach. Skills like compassion, commitment, and teamwork have proven to be beneficial to both human and animal development. “It’s a good feeling for all,” said Penny Nichols, Vice President of Creatures and Kids, Inc.

Creatures and Kids has certified therapy teams that work with children and animals. Nichols, who is a certified evaluator for American Kennel Clubs, Canine Good Citizens program, has been involved in showing, training for competitive obedience and teaching the public about animal behavior and development for 13 years. Also, she completed the Animal Team Evaluators program through the Delta Society, which offers a Pet Partners Program that certifies all types of animals for therapy work. Although Creatures and Kids has worked with a variety of animals including rabbits, alpacas, Nichols’ expertise is with dogs. “I’m really a dog trainer,” said Nichols, who certifies animal/handler teams for the Creatures and Kids volunteer program, Creatures and Kids Oklahoma Certification (CKOC).

Creatures and Kids has been educating and training youth the importance of caring for animals. Youth within the juvenile bureau, physically challenged children, and typical, everyday-type of kids are taught to interact appropriately with animals, safety in handling animals and animal nutrition. “We work with all types of children,” said Nichols. Recently, the organization worked with Sante Fe High School in Edmond and has been contacted by several elementary schools who are interested in the program.

Currently, the group needs more therapy teams. “We hope to have 100 teams to pick from,” said Nichols. To become a animal/handler team, six weeks of basic training must be completed. Each week, which is a one-hour session, a new skill is taught. In addition, 5 ­ 15 minutes per day working with your dog, or an assigned dog, on the new skill is encouraged. In addition, the organization needs a variety of talents including grant writing. One group that has supported the organization financially is Awesome Alpacas. “It was a really big help to us,” said Nichols. Other ways to help the organization, in addition to giving money, are to volunteer time or services, donate supplies, or become a member. For more information call 478-8550 or visit www.creaturesandkids.org.

Creatures and Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to humane education and violence prevention has these suggestions of how to and how not to interact with a dog.

Do:

• Teach Productive Games: Frisbee, Retrieving, and Hide and Seek.
• Take the dog outside on lease to promote good housebreaking.
• Spend 10 ­ 15 ³doggie minutes² per day working with your dog. Add a few extra minutes for brushing and general grooming. They love the attention.
• Keep your dog¹s vaccinations current and visit your veterinarian regularly.
• Schedule boarding stays in advance

Don’t:

• Wrestle with your dog, especially if it is one of the larger breeds.
• Play Tug-O-War and Let Go. Both of these seemingly harmless games promote aggressive behavior and builds a dog¹s confidence against its owner.
• Leave a young dog (under 20 months) loose and unattended in your home. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
• Ask your dog to jump on a fence or over a gate as you communicate with them.
• Encourage aggressive behavior towards other animals.

Creatures And Kids, Inc.  – A Dream Comes True

A life-long vision is finally coming true for Penny Nichols.  Nichols and her father always believed, with the right approach, they could make a difference in the lives of children.  Although her father has passed away,  the vision has become a reality through the efforts of Nichols and many other hard working volunteers.  “I thank all of these people for their time and energy to create Creatures And Kids, Inc.,” said Nichols

Creatures and Kids, Inc,  a non-profit organization, was developed by people with a variety of backgrounds and professions.  They share the common belief that it is possible to re-direct young people toward positive character qualities through controlled interactions with animals.

Working with schools, their counselors, juvenile advocates and the courts, this approach provides young people opportunities for increased self-esteem and confidence building in a unique educational environment.  The ability to partner with school and community  provides opportunities for educational outreach.

By working with obedience training for “homeless” dogs, participants will make the animals more adoptable, while they learn self-control, patience, and how to earn respect by being firm, fair and consistent.  Responsibility comes from feeding and cleaning the animal’s living quarters, and maintaining its overall well-being.  Understanding how an animal’s needs are similar to human needs can develop empathy for the animals, as well as for each other.

While Creatures And Kids’ main focus is youth at risk, they will accept any child into the program upon recommendation that intervention will prevent future risk.  All children who finish the program will be eligible to stay on as peer mentors for new program participants or to work in a different capacity.

The organization wants to use the creativity and imagination of the graduates to enhance their own lives and those of their peers, as well as the animal and human community.

“Our 5-year plan includes having graduates perform much of the program’s day to day duties, and finding the right  location to provide these services,” said Nichols.

The organization sums it up this way, “We have a whole-child philosophy.  Addressing the emotional, mental, physical and intellectual wellness of each individual is the most effective way to ensure they will explore and develop their abilities.  Animals and nature are our keys to opening the hearts and minds of youth to the possibilities and opportunities awaiting them in life,” Nichols said.

Meetings are routinely held at 6:45 pm the first Wednesday of each month at the Dental Specialties Center located at 4320 McAuley Blvd. in Oklahoma City.  Anyone interested in becoming a member or supporting Creatures and Kids, Inc. are encouraged to call 405.478.8550.

Vicky Adams went to summer camp and discovered how Creatures And Kids, Inc. could play a small, but important role in a G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program for kids.   Adams is the Chair of Animal Assisted Education for Creatures and Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization that believes it is possible to re-direct today’s youth toward positive character qualities through controlled interaction with animals.

She felt the two organizations complimented each other since they share several common goals and decided to volunteer at this year’s G.R.E.A.T. summer camp in Elk City, Oklahoma.  At the end of the week, she was both exhausted and exhilarated.

“It’s tough but I loved it.“  Said Adams. “We start out at 7AM each morning, feed the kids breakfast, take roll and then the programs start.” The first day was spent at the Flyin-W Guest Ranch where the children rode horses, and enjoyed wagon and paddle boat rides.  One of the high points was visiting a 1700 year old bison-kill site.  Even a cowboy poet and a state representative spoke to the group.

Adams had the opportunity to introduce her trained dog, “Girly-Girl” to the campers.  She demonstrated basic obedience and discussed the many things people and animals have in common.  She also talked about how animals communicate in many different forms; words, tone of voice, facial expression and body language.  Girly used her unique ability to charm and make friends with several of the young campers.

Creatures And Kids’ first partnership with G.R.E.A.T. proved a successful and rewarding way to spend a few weeks this summer.  If you would like to know more about Creatures and Kids, Inc., please call 405.478.8550.  Information about G.R.E.A.T. can be found at their website www.atf.treas.gov/great.