There are two types of classes. Volunteer training adult and student and special needs student. Teacher helpers are trained to handle the animals, present the basics of the program: halter and leading, grooming and clicker training. A teacher helper could specialize in animal handling or assisting students.
To develop a volunteer spirit in kids by teaching them to teach so that they can present a program using the animals to those in need ie. nursing homes, spouse abuse shelters, special education etc.
Description
ARK Animals Reaching Kids is a program designed to allow students of all ages to learn to handle animals. The basics of good training are applied: consistency, patience, positive reinforcement, reward, and the self esteem gained by the ability to maintain an obedient partnership with the animal. Since a large part of training is repetition or practice, all volunteers are working to make the animals obedient so that even students with special needs can have success with the animals.
Studens learn to groom the animals, do health maintenance as required by the many different species, and basic clicker training.
The training allows students to participate in our Outdoor Productions which present the animals to the public at Christmas and Easter as well as other events throughout the year
