With the amount of information available on the internet, you would think it would quite simple to find the right tools and resources to start a search for an online degree. Before you are even able to begin examining what courses are offered, as well as certain programs, you have to fill out registration form after form, and then possibly have someone confirm your identity before they will disclose their programs! Who wants to deal with the unnecessary stress and time wasted with jumping through all those hoops? You are looking at online degrees for a reason, because you simply don’t have the time to actually go back to school perhaps. Why should you be penalized for being busy? If you wanted to deal with this kind of process, you would go and enroll at a nearby college or facility. What you need is someone to be a middleman and do the legwork for you!

No matter what your search foronline degrees is, directory of schools is able to assist you by giving you a list of some of the most reputable and well known schools that offer online degrees in the country! You’ve seen the commercials for schools such as University Of Phoenix, Devry University & Westwood College, now you have one place you can go to make contact with all of them. No more do you need to spend hours scouring their sites for information on certain degrees, let alone try and figure out how to apply for each of them!

In order to simplify the process even further, the online list of the most popular online degrees and degree programs is also available to aid you in your search! Online accounting, advertising and marketing, appraisal, business management, computer science, criminal justice, health care, homeland security, graphic design, paralegal, nursing, web development, interior design and human services are just a few of the most popular online degree programs available today.It doesn’t have to stop there though! There are even programs for getting your GED, associate degree, online Bachelors degree, Masters Degree or your Ph. D Doctorate! It doesn’t have to end with just an associate’s degree!

Why waste another day trying to figure out where to go and what to do, when there is a wealth of information available right in front of your fingertips? Why go anywhere else when the Video Professor can be delivers to your door. Your time is valuable and all that is missing from taking the next step in your career is just a click away!

Biology coursework deals with the various characteristics of mainly living things of this planet.

Our earthly environment is blessed with diverse kind of living things. We know them by their smell, sound, color, touch or even taste. Some of them are useful to mankind and some other causes illness or even death. Therefore, identifying the useful and being aware of the harmful living beings is basic human need and concern. Differentiating, grouping and giving names to living things in some form or other has been an ancient activity of every human culture.

The world is estimated to have species of living organisms anywhere between 5 to 30 million and probably over half of them are found in the yet unexplored tropical rain forests of the world. At present about 2.5 million species of living organisms have been given scientific names. Over 1.5 million of them are animal species and out of them 750000 belong to insect species.

Ever since life came into existence on the earth, existing species of living beings are also part of it. During this long period of existence innumerable species also became extinct, sometimes leaving behind fossils as evidence of their existence. It is estimated that the extinct species of animals may outnumber the living species of animals by 50 to 100 times.

Without proper classification it would be impossible to deal with the enormous diversity of life forms. Biological classification or taxonomy has two uses: to recognize as well as describe as completely as possible the basic taxonomic units (or species) and to device a method for grouping these units on the basis of their resemblances as well as relationship. Their arrangements are as follows- species, genus, family, order, class, phylum or division, and kingdom.

The life forms are broadly divided into two general groups on the basis of what is visible and obvious- the plant and the animals. Linnaeus classified all organisms into the Kingdom Plantae (plant kingdom) and Kingdom Animalia (animal kingdom). This arrangement proved unsatisfactory to many biologists. Thus a new five kingdom arrangement of organisms was proposed by Whittaker in 1969. The criteria of classification are complexity of cell structure, complexity of the organism’s body and mode of obtaining nutrition.

The five kingdoms are:

1)      Monera: Kingdom of prokaryotes-microscopic, do not contain nucleus and have rigid cell wall. They are decomposers and mineralisers. Moneran cells are microscopic, about one to a few microns in length. They do not have a nucleus or other membrane bounded organelles. Most of them have a rigid cell wall.

2)      Protista: They are mostly unicellular and primarily aquatic eukaryotes. They are found in various kinds and display diverse ways of life.

3)      Plantae: Kingdom of multicellular producers- basically photosynthetic plants existing in heterotrophic forms on land, sea, lake and streams.

4)      Fungi: Kingdom of multicellular decomposers- heterotrophic organisms and many of them parasitic in nature.

5)      Animalia: Kingdom of multicellular consumers-comprise such groups as sponges, round worms, annelids, arthropods, mollusks, echinoderms and vertebrates.

Biology coursework will deal with many such wonderful information related with the living creatures of this planet.

PayelCoursework is an academic writer who provides useful information about Coursework Help and Biology Coursework .

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Getting Educated in Wind Energy

Wind Energy is becoming a popular alternative source of energy that the general public is becoming interested in. Using natural resources to replace electricity is a win-win situation. No pollution, little cost to operate and lower power bills. There are numerous companies that are building factories and starting to build these tested windmills but the cart appears to be ahead of the horse.

Energy, as we know it, is taking on a new face in the educational field. Being an engineer at the electric company or a driller in the oil field does not qualify one to know the ins and outs of wind power. Data analysis and interpretation, policy impacts, feasibility analyses, site selection, project design, energy estimations, equipment design, environmental impacts, maintenance strategies and contract considerations are a few areas that need to be studied and learned in all phases of wind power.

Many of us know that with the changing trends we will have to go back to school but where do you go? Chances are your local university does not offer classes and training programs on wind energy or many of the other green energy technology now entering our markets. This is not abnormal when a new system evolves. Computers and the World Wide Internet did not happen overnight but slowly evolved into what it is today. If you are interested in wind energy, researching the subject and knowing where to start could easily put you ahead of the game, maybe even make you a specialist in your field.

Knowing which sector of this field you are interested in would be a good start. The manufacturing sector involves turbine, tower and gearbox and component parts. The service sector has to do with site prospecting, wind farm development, onsite construction, transportation, environmental impact assessment, legal assistance, financing, operation and maintenance and wind energy forecasting. Sales and marketing is self-explanatory and the last sector is public and non-profit where skills in public/community relations, non-profit advocacy and education, policy research and lobbying and governmental programs are necessary.

If you are already experienced or educated in one of these areas, training may be as simple as applying for a job for a supplier of wind turbines and letting them educate you on their product. There are government programs available to manufacturers to use funds for training and they are aware that education is way behind them. Another alternative is to find a school that specializes in alternative energy programs. They are few and far between right now but growing stronger every day.

Deciding if wind energy is an area that you are interested in can be discovered in this recommended read. Now is the time to decide if you want a future in wind energy, before the nation becomes saturated with educated individuals. There’s something to be said for starting on the ground floor and working your way up and wind energy is a great area to begin a new future.

For more information please visit Wind Training.net.

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Graphic arts refers to the artistic interpretation and creation of design through artistic expression. In other words, graphic art is the art of visualizing ideas. Graphic artists use their creativity and talent to design, display, advertise, package and promote. Graphic design is seen everywhere in the world around us – from books and magazines, food products, cars, household appliances, clothing, computers, and everything in between.

A graphic artist is also often referred to as a graphic designer. He or she uses a diverse range of media to create designs and visually convey a message or an idea to the public. Since the aim of a graphic designer is to enhance the image and saleability of a product, the work profile could encompass designs for websites, logos, stationery, print material, advertisements, films and videos, posters, brochures, and other promotional materials. Responsibilities could also include overseeing layouts during printing of magazines, books and newspapers, designing sets for theatre and film and even furniture design. Many graphic designers still use traditional tools such as pencil, ink and paper but more and more now rely on computer aided technology and the latest design software to enhance their work.

Graphic artists are required to hold a Graphic Arts degree or a diploma in Graphic Design, Visual Art or Commercial Art. In addition to this, hands-on experience is necessary along with a portfolio full of ideas and work. A graphic artist needs to be independent and self motivated and possess the imagination and creativity to deal with a range of subjects and products. A close attention to detail and an instinct for color, shape and form is essential. A good graphic artist would be one with an exposure to a wide range of media and communication techniques. He or she will be fluent in handling all sorts of tools, techniques, drawings and models. Graphic designers need to evaluate their customer’s needs and must be adept at all sorts of sales and marketing strategies. Therefore, a comprehensive knowledge of theory and methodology is required to excel in this type of career.

Today, good Graphic Design Programs mix creativity with technology and business skills. Course material should include (among others) – Web page design, Flash, Typography, JavaScript, Web Animation, Photoshop, Illustrator, Pre-press Operations, Internet Management, Marketing, Computer Fundamentals, and Desktop Publishing.

Graphic designers have the choice to work alone or as a part of a large design team. They could opt for consultancy services or freelance work if they do not want to be tied down to a particular design studio or advertising agency. Media opportunities for graphic artists could be found in print, packaging, movie, video, television or radio. Graphic artists can be employed by magazines or newspapers, books, advertising agencies and graphic design firms as well as non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, companies and for specific events.

A career in design could lead to various positions in the field of graphic arts such as Art director, Directors – state, motion picture, television, radio, Visual artists, Animators, Children book illustrators, Commercial and industrial designer, Fashion designer, Interior designer, Set designer, Painters and illustrators, Cartoonist, comic book artists, Camera operator, television, video or motion picture operators, Desktop publisher, Composing room supervisor and Online producer.

And as the years go by, jobs for graphic designers are only expected to rise and individuals with experience in animation and Web design will have the best opportunity to qualify for the newer job positions being created in the fields of technology. A career in graphic design is assuredly fast growing and one that is becoming more and more competitive with every passing day. People now recognize the earning potential of such a career and the flexibility and independence offered by the choices within this field. Whether you work full-time in a small studio or large agency or freelance full-time on your own terms, the bottom line is that graphic arts is a great choice for people who need to express themselves creatively and earn well at the same time.

Stevens-Henager College was established in 1891 and is distinguished as one of the oldest colleges in Utah. It has trained generations of graduates through its on-campus and online programs for Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s Degrees. Stevens-Henager College also offers FastFlex online degree programs for working professionals. Stevens-Henager’s degree programs help enhance your career and your qualifications, while placement staff helps to find exciting job openings and even setting up interviews as well.

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Avatars, Talking Web Characters and Virtual representatives are growing in popularity for one critical reason … “they work” … AlterEgos.com hits the web running with its new release which is proving perfect for the delivery of training and education to all level of students using Virtual Teachers!

With Broadband becoming the standard access to the Internet in all four corners of the world, the benefits and possibilities of utilizing rich media and interactivity in marketing are starting to become a reality if not the norm. One of the most active areas is in the so-called Animated Avatars know by many names such as: Talking Web Characters, Virtual Representatives, Virtual Characters and Web Compares. Their popularity growing every day, it’s not by accident, one critical reason is… “they work” , but when it comes to using them to deliver training, presentations or integrated into CBT and education the Virtual Teacher rises eminently to the challenge. AlterEgos hits the web running with its new release!

Assisted Education Delivery using the ubiquitous Virtual Tutor comes of age.

Virtual Teachers, educational presenters and tutor can have a new face, available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, with the same happy disposition, virtual, animated, automated lip-syncing and compelling content combined with contextual delivery. We know that retention is improved, we know that “lean back” education can be effortlessly absorbed and we know that there is nothing more powerful when it comes to delivering complex ideas or facts than the spoken word. Virtual Teachers can be available in different forms, ages, sexes and even fantasy. The flexibility is endless. Education creators can concentrate on the subject matter and choose the ideal Virtual Tutor to assist in the process. Literature assignment can be delivered in context and even brain teasing science and math education can become more precise when you have the help of a virtual tutor that has the power of “voice”. Un-attended education across the web or operated locally makes virtual education delivery highly effective and manageable. CBT has a new face, interactive courses can have virtual assistants and guides. Many training and formal educational environment incorporate media within their presentations and educational content, and it’s not by accident, why? because it works! The ability to concentrate on content and its compelling and memorable delivery is the reason that Virtual Teachers and Tutors are common place in establishment high in the corporate stratosphere and junior schools alike, they both have something in common, the recognition that compelling animated virtual teachers can give results in a planned and precise manner, where achievements can be accelerated at all learning levels. This is no accident, its technology at its best, with a face and a purpose. Take a PowerPoint presentation, graphs, facts, figures and images, nice enough, add a virtual full animated teacher into the mix and you now have a new breed of educational delivery.

In an educational setting it’s a proven fact that information retention and concentration is enhanced when faced with compelling content. So what should you look for in your animated talking character.

1: The Avatar Look

Is your talking animated character “attractive”, or does it look as though it has fallen out of the ugly tree, is it well crafted and generally compelling, or amateurish and poorly animated. Does it suit your image and delivery requirements… is the quality something you are comfortable associating with.

2: Automated Lip-Syncing

Is the avatar lip-sync accurate? there is nothing worse than watching a virtual representative that resembles a badly dubbed movie, it is critical, our brains react in micro-seconds when faced with something that doesn’t look right! It seems bizarre but most animated talking character offerings have less than convincing lip-syncing to say the least. Simple tests include; Does the virtual tutors lips stop moving when silent? Does it shape the phonemes correctly or is it just a random selection of gibberish?

3: Virtual Teachers Ambient animation, Less is more.

Animations during the narration should be kept to a minimum and be subtle, almost invisible. When watching a news broadcast you would feel uncomfortable is the compares eyes rolled from side to side and they exhibited strange and seemingly un controllable head movements. It is the content being delivered by the speaking avatar that is important, and all animations should be kept to a minimum to avoid distraction. Less is definitely more.

4: Virtual Tutor – The Voice

Text to speech may seem convenient but it has a tendency to sound really bad. Remember! this is a virtual representative, your own animated web or media compare it is an extension of your image, unless you sound like a robot steer clear of synthesized voices. Use your own voice, or a friends, or shell out for a professional voice over artist, they are not as expensive as you think! In the future TTS will probably improve but at the present it should only be used if you have no other option.

5: Tailoring your Virtual Character

Some offerings give you loads of tailoring options, they even allow the visitor to play with the character during its narration. Generally you should try and restrict tailoring to clothing and backgrounds for the best effect. You want your visitors and users to build a rapport with your virtual teacher, so changing its looks continually does not offer continuity to the visitor or student. Having a Virtual tutor that the visitor can mess with only detracts from their message.

6: Integration and Hosting your Virtual Teacher

Consider that many education delivery requirements may be remotely across the internet. Give a great deal of thought to this area as its rife with potential additional charges and risks. If you are on a Pay-for-view contract, a contract that charges you a monthly fee for so many streams, the risk is your growth in visitation, you end up with one of two potential problems; you have to pay more because you had a higher visitation as your site grows in popularity, or, you can’t afford to pay more, so your talking avatar disappears and leaves a block with the suppliers logo in place. The same goes for supplier hosting, you have no control over their hosting facility, if you rely on your web compare and your service suppliers servers go down you have lost your “voice”. If you own internet service goes down at least the whole site is no longer visible. Always try and use a solution that will give you total control, create your composition in your time, generate industry standard output (Flash, Flash Video or conventional Video ) and have total flexibility when it comes to integration.

7: Flexibility gives your choice.

Is flexibility important, would it be nice to have access to the native output of your efforts in an industry standard format such as Flash, Flash Video, AVI etc so you could integrate your work into other environments such as Powerpoint, Camtasia, youTube etc. Are there any other services that can assist you from the supplier such as Voice-Overs, integration and bespoke services. Can your composition work off-line, can you create them off-line. Flexibility adds to the return on your investment.

Summary

Doing any job badly is not a good idea, many people grab hold of a new technology and throw it at their audience with little thought.

Implementing a bad Animated Virtual Representative is detrimental and could reflect on your business and/or educational requirements, take your time in the creation and don’t settle for second best.

After 5 years of trial marketing with a free solution and talking to over 40,000 users AlterEgos.com was created and released in April of this year. Within 2 weeks following its launch it had been adopted in over 98 countries. At the end of the day Alteregos.com listened to their user community, it was just a little harder than first thought, but worth it in the end.

Download the AlterEgos free edition and give it a spin. You can get a copy at www.alteregos.com

Andre J Jay has specialized in information delivery and management for over 30 years, his speciality is in enhancing the delivery of information utilising media technology. He has been responsible for the integration of media in education for over 15 years. With an in-depth knowledge of avatar development and use he has been the technical and aesthetic inspiration behind a new breed of Virtual Tutoring delivery methods.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/talking-avatars-in-education-the-virtual-teacher-comes-of-age-996023.html

Tips to keep those teaching muscles from atrophying over the summer

For those teachers who aren’t teaching summer school, June through August are the best months of the year. No homework to track down from students, no lesson plans or evenings spent grading, no school bells punctuating the day. Busy days at school transform into busy days at home, either taking care of your family or working a summer job or daily trips to the pool. Pretty soon, you’ll wonder how you ever got anything done while you spent all day at school.

As we all know, it is so easy for students to forget everything they’ve learned over the summer, but it just as easy for teachers to let their skills sit idle for the three months of summer break. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your summer break.

Take a breather: Don’t even look at your school books for two weeks. It’s been a long year and you’ve earned this break. No guilt. No looking back.

Stretch Yourself: Take this opportunity to do something you never have time for during the year. It can be far too easy to fall into a routine during the summer and let time pass you by. Have you always wanted to travel, get published in an education publication, write a short story or novel, learn a second language, see every free concert offered in your city, train for a marathon or triathlon, or become the Guinness World Record Holder for most pencils balanced behind your ears? Well, now is the time. Use this time away from school to check items off your “to do” list for life.

Setting a training schedule: Like training for a marathon, you should look ahead and set summer goals for yourself. Once you’ve set those goals, write down benchmarks you’d like to reach every week or two. Writing down small goals will keep you from procrastinating and finding your August self wondering what ever happened to your big summer plans.

Cross-training: You can work up an intellectual sweat, even during the summer. As a rule, trade off on one fun book for every semi-educational book you read. This will keep your mind sharp throughout the summer and allow you to explore themes and ideas for the next school year. For every gossip and sports magazine, make yourself read a teacher magazine or newsletter. For every trip to Perez or facebook, stop by teacherbuzz.com to stay in touch with the latest news from the K-12 world.

Find a Spotter: Stay in touch with a few colleagues and teacher friends while you’re on break. Not only can you take hang out while all non-teachers are at work, but getting together every few weeks will help keep those relationships fresh and make you look forward to spending your days together again. You can also share your summer goals and keep each other on track.

Warming Up: As the school year creeps closer, force yourself to go back into the classroom and get some planning done. Maybe just a few short visits to work back up to the first day of school, or spending a few hours here and there at the library getting your units and plans together. Breaking through that physical barrier may make the back-to-school transition that much less traumatizing.

Annie Condron is the Editor in Chief at TeachHUB.com. TeachHUB.com is a new, online resource center designed by teachers, for teachers and is tailored to address the everyday needs of teachers both inside and outside of the classroom. For more K-12 news, tips and recommendations as well as other articles by Annie Condron, please visit http://www.TeachHUB.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/training-in-the-offseason-996215.html

If you have the desire to be a driver, then you have to learn to drive first and take professional lessons.

To start learning to drive, you have to ensure and prepare few things. Firstly, before you can legally drive your car on public roads, you need to be 17 years, which is the minimum age in UK. If you are under 17, you can start learning only on private land and the sites must be gated and remote from public highways. In addition, it is worthwhile to check your eyesight and ensure you can read a car number plate at a certain distance. Secondly, You should have a valid provisional license before you take your fist driving lessons. You can apply for it online, or fill a D1 form at the post office and send it to the relevant departments. Thirdly, as a driver learner, you have to display “L” plates which should conform to a legal specification in a obviously visible place of the vehicle .What’s more, you can start some essential reading, like the Highway Code. It is also wise to start practicing your driving theory and hazard perception. Because it can help you to boost your skills and improve the chance of passing driving tests. Lastly, you should know what to look for when choosing a driver education program. As a future driver, the first thing u should do is go to the driving school. Choosing a fully qualified instructor is always helpful. And then your instructor will estimate how long you may need after the first lesson. Don’t suppose the cheapest lessons are the best. You should focus on getting the most out of your driving lessons and giving great value to your money.

Passing the driving test can be easy when you get ready technically and mentally. Theory and hazard perception tests come first. Then comes the practical test. Once you have passed the driving test, you are allowed to drive on you own and enjoy the experience of being you own driver.

Source

The article is written by Internet Marketing Consultant Raheel Pasha. For more information on similar topics the recommended sites www.pass-faster.com

Internet Marketing Consultant

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At Discovery Ranch we’re always saying we have an experiential and relationship based program. Saying it is easy. Quite frankly, lots of programs say that. But being a true experiential and relationship based program requires more than lip service. It’s a mentality. Everyone from our administrative team to our front line staff must have that mind set. Without it, we’d just be filling time. We created our program based on therapeutic principles developed in wilderness therapy, specifically, 16 years of wilderness experience from our sister company, RedCliff Ascent. We combined that foundation of therapeutic excellence with more than 30 years of clinical, residential, and equine experience to create a truly unique program. We began with the premise that if were utilizing the same fundamentals as effective wilderness therapy, we should get similar results. What we learned is that our students change faster, with a much longer lasting effect than other residential programs. Our average length of stay is about 10 months, with many students moving on to boarding schools, home type settings and some therapeutic boarding schools. With the economy being in such turmoil, we offer a much more time effective and cost effective experience. Learning through the five senses, creating experiences with a purpose, and learning by doing, not just reading about it, are the most effective forms of learning. Some of our students’ most powerful experiential learning comes through working with their calves. Our top notch equine program takes students from ground therapy to western riding. Ranch students also participate in a variety of community service projects. One of their favorites is the “VIP League.” Our students are paired with children with physical or mental disabilities. Ranch students coach these children one-on-one in soccer or T-ball. We hope you’ll visit the video section of our website for highlights of their season. Helping students gain an understanding of their experiences and how they apply to their lives in the moment is the key to retention. This is where having a trained, committed front-line staff is so critical. In their day to day interactions, we help our students understand the patterns that show up in all areas of their lives. We receive emails and letters from alumni who share with us their experiences once they leave us. They often say they’ve had struggles at home but they remembered what they learned at the ranch. Once they began to re-apply those principles, they became successful again. That is the difference between saying we are an experiential, relationship based program and being one. Seeing our students succeed at home is what makes the extra work worth it.

Discovery Ranch runs an outdoor residential treatment center for at risk youth.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/creating-the-experience-vs-filling-time-997469.html

It started as a Halloween activity. Oxbow students don’t dress up or trick or treat so Brita North, Equine Director, was looking for something to celebrate in an unusual way. “I thought about having the boys make banners to decorate the horses,” she recalls. Then she decided to give the activity a therapeutic twist. “I started researching how Native Americans painted their horses for hunting and tribal ceremonies.” Brita learned the painted horse became the brave’s resume of what he hoped for. “Every symbol meant something different to them,” she explains. “Circles around the eye represented better sight, suns for good hunting weather, and arrows on their feet so the horse could run faster. War horses were painted differently than hunting horses.” The more Brita learned about the symbols the more she became convinced Oxbow students could benefit from painting their own ponies. During the first part of the activity, she taught the boys about Native American symbols and then had them design their own special markings. Each boy was also required to explain his symbols. The next week she gathered washable poster paints, beads and feathers. Each boy was allowed to paint one side of a horse with the symbols he had created the week before. The horses were puzzled, but compliant, and the boys had a great time. Brita says, “They liked showing each other their symbols and explaining what they meant. It was team building and friendship building. All the therapists were involved with it.” “You could tell who had been in the program longer based on how deep they went into themselves. I learned a lot about them just seeing what they put on their horses.” “Every time we do a new activity with these boys I learn something new,” Brita says, “just how deep they are and how much they feel. You see them as individuals and their hopes and dreams and what they want to become. You see how hard they really are trying for change.” Brita plans to give each boy a photograph of his painted horse to hang beside his bed. She thinks it will help them remember the story they illustrated. “It started out as just a fun activity but it turned into something educational and therapeutic. That’s the whole point of experiential.”

“For the kids, it seems to bring a piece of home, a little bit of comfort,” says Kena Frey, a RedCliff therapist. Kena is talking about having Gracie, a nine-year-old lab/retriever mutt, sit in on therapy sessions in the field. Gracie recently certified as an official therapy dog. “As I was hearing back from students who had left the program, almost every one of them were asking about Gracie,” Kena says. “They would say how much they missed her and how they loved seeing her.” Gracie usually tagged along as Kena visited the field. While Kena initially brought the dog along just so she could get some exercise, Kena began to realize there might be some therapeutic value to having Gracie on hand. “Gracie is really good at just recognizing when people need something. If students are having a difficult session they can sit there and pet her and get a little calming,” Kena explains. Kena had heard of therapy dogs used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. She decided to investigate the possibility of having Gracie go through the certification process as well. “I found Intermountain Therapy Animals, a volunteer program,” she says. “The group doesn’t have anyone in the St. George (Utah) area and they were hoping to expand. The dogs have to be very well trained, well mannered, and really good with strangers.” Kena was required to attend training sessions, once without Gracie and once to demonstrate how she and the dog worked together. “They want to teach you, as a handler, how to actually use your pet.” The pair will have to re-certify every two years to maintain their therapy dog status. As a licensed clinical social worker, Kena plans to look for new ways she can use Gracie in the therapy she currently provides. “I’m really excited!” she says. “I ordered some additional books and I want to look for every opportunity I can to use Gracie.” What about students who may not like dogs? “Any time a student comes in I make sure they’re OK with dogs in general,” Kena explains. “One girl said she really didn’t like dogs so Gracie sat by me. But within a couple of weeks the student was asking to have Gracie sit by her.” She adds, “It’s really amazing what can happen with an animal. She brings a little more comfort and security into a session. Students are opening up a little more.”

Redcliff Ascent runs an outdoor wilderness therapy program for troubled teens in Southern Utah.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/animal-therapy-at-redcliff-997472.html