Community Corner
Primrose Summer Campers donate more than $350 in pet food and supplies to Canine Assistants
(Lawrenceville) August 2, 2013 – For the past month, more than 30 Primrose Summer Campers
have been learning about precious pets and what it takes to help them. Their Precious Pets
program culminated with a donation of over 75 canned and dried pet food items and supplies
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to Canine Assistants, non-profit organization that trains and provides service dogs to
enhance and improve the lives of children and adults who have physical disabilities,
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seizure conditions or other special needs.
“At Primrose Schools, our Precious Pets drive provides an opportunity for children to
experience the special value of helping others, including animals,” said Gil Benjamin,
Primrose School of Five Forks. “Through hosting the annual pet food and supply drive, we’re
not only able to teach them the importance of lending a helping hand, but we’re showing
them how they can make a difference.”
Canine Assistants Noah’s Team Leader and Volunteer, Kathy Evanina, and her beautiful
“Spokesdog,” Beaker visited the summer campers to talk about service dogs and the rolls
they play in helping people with special needs. Beaker was so much fun to meet and really
made a great impact on the students. The campers learned that after 2 years of trying,
Beaker could not pass his training, but that he makes a wonderful therapy and Spokesdog. As
a therapy dog he visits hospitals and also schools to ‘listen’ to young readers. As a
Spokesdog he helps with presentations and information booths.
Susan Dansberry, a member of Noah’s Team, brought Kab, a black lab/golden mix pup. As the
children learned the proper etiquette of meeting a service dog, Kab gained valuable
experience meeting children.
Through roll play, the children learned that someone with a disability is the same on the
inside as someone without one. They also learned that, because of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, service dogs have public access and to be on the lookout in the community
for them. When they see a service dog they should say to your person, “May I pet your
dog?”.
According to Canine Assistants, “Service and seizure response dogs have a magical effect on
their recipients. They assist with physical and emotional needs - enabling a person to
achieve greater independence, confidence, and happiness overall.”
Precious Pets and other character-building programs are all part of Primrose Schools’
Balanced Learning® curriculum, which uniquely blends character development, academics and
play for Gwinnett County - area children.
About Primrose Schools®
Founded in 1982, Primrose Schools is the nation’s leader in providing a premier educational
child care experience in more than 260 schools in 17 states. Each Primrose is independently
owned and operated by our Franchise Owners. They partner with parents to help children
build the right foundation for future learning and life, and offer an environment that
helps children have fun while nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts®.
The Balanced Learning® system, consistently delivered in all Primrose Schools nationwide,
is designed to provide high quality educational experiences to support children’s social-
emotional, cognitive, creative and physical development. It is made up of an exclusive
standards-based curriculum that enables teachers to help children gain the knowledge and
skills that will enable them to move successfully from one level of development to the next
as well-rounded individuals. The system also offers developmentally appropriate materials
and equipment for all classrooms; multiple forms of assessment; and extensive training for
teachers.
Primrose is the first early childhood education organization in the country to receive
AdvancED Corporation Systems Accreditation under the new Standards for Quality Early
Learning Schools. This accreditation ensures all Primrose schools meet the highest quality
standards and shows they are continually improving student learning. Primrose Schools
stands behind its commitment to deliver an exceptional early childhood experience with the
Primrose Guarantee, a parent’s assurance of complete satisfaction. For more information,
visit www.PrimroseSchools.com.