Guided interaction with a trained canine and volunteer

teams work to bring personal growth and emotional healing

Programs

Classes

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Tails with Tales

Tails with Tales (TWT) offers free visits by volunteer canine and handler teams

How We've Grown

Tails with Tales was founded in 2016.
We now have 40 volunteer teams, serve three counties, and visit 23 schools, five libraries, and nine care facilities. Canines of all breeds complete an intensive 8-12 week course and have outstanding temperament, stable personalities, advanced obedience skills, and a strong love for people.

We're Volunteer Driven

We are a volunteer program involving people and their personal dogs. After receiving proper training and certification, our teams are able to visit nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation units, day programs, special schools, and many other types of facilities.

I want to volunteer

Why Canine Therapy

It's been a terrible day. You come home after a long day and your dog wags his tail, licks your hand, and rolls over for a belly rub. Your mood brightens. Apply this positive interaction to schools, libraries, and care facilities for increased engagement and physical and psychological health.

The Canine Impact

Medical research shows that interaction between a person and a pet can be physically and psychologically beneficial

Physical Indicators

Accelerated recovery rates from illness and surgery
Significantly higher heart attack survival rates
Lower blood pressure
Slower pulse rate

Psychological Indicators

Increased interaction and socialization
Increased sense of confidence and well-being
Decreased depression and anxiety
Relief from feelings of isolation

Programs

Patient smile as canine sits on her lap in the health center.

"We have seen a transformation in our rehab. The dogs have helped individuals overcome depression and isolation, giving joy and excitement about doing therapy."
- Mercy Hospital Jefferson Rehab Center

Teams visit individuals or residents, providing an opportunity to pet and socialize with a friendly, specially trained canine and handler.
Canines may participate in therapy exercises with individuals and residents.
Tails with Tales Comfort Program is successful in decreasing health recovery time and advancing speech and language therapy. Canines provide an incentive for physical therapy, increase vocalized responses from children with autism, and incite positive changes and responses for care facility residents.

Canine visits will always result in smiles, comfort, and canine interaction

Once training and proper certification is achieved, teams will visit adults and children in various facilities where residents may be challenged with mental, physical and/or learning disabilities. Teams are carefully chosen based on the dog’s temperament, obedience skills, personality, and willingness to work with their handler in stressful and sometimes awkward situations.

Contact us today to receive free visits from a Tails with Tales team or to get involved with our program.

Group of students gather around a canine to read.

Dogs act as an incentive for children, increasing their interest and excitement for reading. The dog can also act as a topic for writing exercises.
Dogs can be partnered with children needing extra help with pace, comprehension, or pronunciation. This group can work separately from the class, offering a non-judgmental atmosphere which helps instill confidence and self-esteem in the children.

Free program

This program is free and staffed by volunteers. All materials supplied for the program are provided free of charge. Volunteers and their personal dogs complete specialized training to participate in the reading program.

Frequency

Schedule weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly sessions. Personalize the program with teacher’s curriculum for the school year.

Our program is flexible to the needs of participating locations.

Team Dynamics

One canine team is sent to classrooms. Students gain pride and ownership with their “canine classmate”.

Several teams are sent to public libraries to facilitate more students in the session.

Fundraising

Fundraisers are a great way for teachers and students to help cover costs of the free program. If you or your group are interested in fundraising, please contact us to discuss your ideas.

Marilyn Ellis has lived in Jefferson County her entire life. She married the boy next door after he came home from the war. Together, they built a home that she still occupies to this day. In a time when not a lot of women went to college, Ms. Ellis pursued higher education. She enrolled in many different classes, botany being one of her favorites, but found education to be her passion. Ms. Ellis was an elementary school teacher in House Springs for the duration of her career. Though she is retired, students still recognize her out in the community, a sign of the real impact she had on her students. It takes big hearts to shape young minds, and Mrs. Ellis may have one of the biggest hearts of all.

Ms. Ellis and her husband raised two children and now have two grandchildren pursuing higher education at Mizzou. In her retirement, she enjoys day trips with friends, spending time in her garden, and visiting the YMCA to stay active.

Marilyn, thank you for many years of dedicated service to children in Jefferson County; we will do our best to honor your namesake!

Obedience Classes

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Basic Obedience

Six weeks - $175

Basic Obedience, based on the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Program, is for dogs age ten weeks and older. Week one teaches the importance of praise, motivation, and timing of correction. Basic manners, safety, collars, and leash walking are a focus during the six weeks. Week one class is two hours long; the remaining classes are one hour long. Walking, standing, and bending are required.

This is a progressive class, building each week on what was accomplished the previous week. We introduce dogs to beginner agility equipment for fun, bonding, and confidence building. We perform the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test during week six. Upon passing the test, paperwork will be provided to submit for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen.

The class teaches how to train your dog to:

Interact with a friendly, new acquaintance
Walk on a loose lead or through a crowd
Sit, lay down, and stay on command
Come when called
Properly react to another dog or distractions
Positively respond to supervised separation or grooming

Advanced Obedience

Six weeks - $200

Advanced Obedience is based on the AKC Community Canine Program. Dogs must earn the AKC Canine Good Citizen before advancing to this class.

Treats, a pinch collar, and a harness may not be used. A flat buckle, chain, or martingale are the only collars accepted. This class builds on previously mastered skills, and creates a stronger team by focusing on various distractions and scenarios. Some classes will be held in public.

We challenge you and your dog in the following areas while using a very loose leash.

Food distractions
Recalls with distractions
Walking 20 feet away while your dog is in the sit, lay down, or stay position
Greetings with new acquaintances carrying objects
Waiting at doors
Turns, backing up, and walking behind
Waiting at your side for a counter transaction

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Support Our Canines

Tails with Tales is supported by financial gifts, grants, volunteer time and services, and donations of supplies. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

I want to volunteer