FRANKFORT — In rural Benzie County one woman’s pack of Leonberger therapy dogs is making a remarkable difference in the lives of children with neurological conditions.
“We’ve done that drive from the rural community to the big city to access those services,” said mom Darcy Jeffs.
When Jan Grant moved her nonprofit Paws and Effect to Benzie County, she saw more than a quiet community - she saw a need for increased therapy services.
“I really saw a need in this rural community, for a specific type of animal assisted therapy,” said Grant.
Paws and Effect uses animal-assisted therapy to help children build trust, confidence, and communication skills - all outside of a clinical setting. It’s something founder Jan Grant said is essential to help kids relax and build relationships with the therapy dogs.
“We are not a clinical setting, so we’re very calm and structured and relationship based,” said Grant. “We form trust and we let the children form trust with the dogs.”
Children in her program spend time reading to the dogs, playing games, and even sharing secrets - all with a furry friend by their side.
“The dogs were able to take on that role and be that sort of quiet companion, that sort of quiet support, that emotional regulator,” said mom to 11-year-old Miles Jeffs, who uses the therapy service.
Studies show therapy dogs can reduce stress hormones by up to 25% and improve social engagement by 33% for children with autism and other disabilities. Across the U.S, more than 12,000 therapy and service dogs work with children in similar programs.
Miles is working on increasing social engagement and communication skills.
“Every time we come visit, which is once a week, we have an organized routine, we always start with reading a book. So, Miles reads a book to the dogs,” said Grant.
For families interested in learning more, Grant said the best way to connect is through her website, Paws and Effect.
Because sometimes, the best medicine doesn’t come from a pharmacy, it comes with four paws and a wagging tail.