Stray Dogs become "Therapy Dogs"

Hello!
Thank you for always providing us warm support for JATA’s “ Stray Dogs become therapy dogs “ project.This time we will introduce our activity and new future project at Istanbul Head quarters in Turkey!! Yes ! Our association has Animal Assisted Activity not only in Japan but also abroad where 8,800km far from Japan !!

General Manager in Istanbul Head quarters, Irem Usar is child writer and she dedicate her almost life to animal rescue and animal assisted activity.She has two Labrador Retrievers named Poka and Luka, Poka was rescued from bad breeding environment and Luka also was rescued from shelter almost 1 year ago.Both became fine therapy dog now thanks to Irem.They are certificated by JATA.They mainly visit to elementary school.Children play with Poka and Luka, read books with them, Even the child who was scared of dogs at first gets used to it.Poka and Luka are working hard, Luka is beginner of therapy dog! Poka teaches him very kindly.

Irem says,since 2017, we have a class in schools, called “Discover Dogs”. In this class, we tell the kids about dogs, we try to make them love animals and therefore nature. Besides, we volunteer counselling for the “A Shelter Dog for Our School” project, which will take place in a public school in Istanbul.

There are nearly 150,000 stray dogs and an average of 40 shelters in Istanbul. We want to establish a “Children and Dog House” to bring shelter dogs and children together. Since 2017, we have owned two shelter dogs and trained them as Therapy Dogs. Poka and Luka, are certified by the NPO Japan Animal Therapy Association.

Near future, we want to add new shelter dogs to our team and have a “Children and Dog House” center where we can improve our work.What are we going to do at the “Children and Dog House”?
- We will advise families of autistic and special needyhandicapped children who want to adopt a dog and we will select the appropriate dogs from the shelters, adopt and train them. Dogs will be certified by NPO Japan Animal Therapy Association.
- We will help children who are afraid of dogs to overcome their fears.
- We're going to have a children's literature library corner. We will meet children who have difficulty reading or who do not like reading, with “Library dogs”.
- We'll do Workshops:
- “Through My Dog's Eyes” workshop, which includes games that enable children to approach dogs empathically,
- “I Became The Vet” workshop, where children found and listens to the hearts of dogs and discuss the feelings and needs of theme.
- “Leadership” workshop, where children learn the importance of the body posture, tone of voice in communication.
- “Children and Dog House” will be open to school visits.

I will do my best to realize the project!!!

Please look forward to the success of Istanbul head quarters of JATA.

Resources
pokaileterapi.blogspot.com.tr
instagram: pokailekopeklerikesfet

Project Leader
Project leader Irem Usar, is the author of children's books.
http://gunisigikitapligi.com/kisiler/irem-usar/