Modern day dogs are fully integrated members of American society. Over 60% of American homes include at least one dog. They are important members of our family, protectors of our children and property, and faithful companions who will always be there for us, no matter what.
Our canine freinds innately exibit many traits that we equate to good character. Dogs are loyal, they forgive easily, they live in the moment and appreciate life to the fullest, they respect one another, and all play together regardless of breed, color, size, ect... Their inclusion in our homes fosters responsibility for another being, teaches us patience, and builds self-confidence.
We believe that dogs are wonderful teaching tools and so we utilize dogs and their canine good-character traits in an award-winning, motivational, educational program designed to foster goal setting and achievement, eliminate negative thought processes, foster positive thinking, and give kids the ability to believe in the beauty of their dreams.
With dog bites on the rise each year, we also believe it is important for kids to know how to approach a dog properly, learn what to do if a strange dog approaches, and other tips that can keep them safe and in control when in the company of dogs.
The Canine Ability, Ltd. lessons are taught in easy to understand, and age-appropriate format, and kids have lots of fun while learning important life lessons and dog education.
Our founder, Kimberly Carnevale, is a canine/equine behaviorist with over 25 years experience in effective communication and behavior modification. She was a former professional athelte who was vying for a spot on the United States Equestrian Team in the illustrious sport of show jumping until a devastating accident left her permanently disabled. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and was forced to relearn what most take for granted, such as reading, writing, walking and talking. Sometime later, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis---she wanted to give up, but something wouldn't let her. That "something" was her first service dog, Dewey. Kimberly was partnered with Dewey in 1999, and together, they set out on a journey that is nothing short of miraculous. Through personal stories and insightful observations, she shares how she utilized adversity and her athlete training to create successful strategies in order to overcome her seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Kimberly perceptibly demonstrates how the implementation of these strategies can be applied in any setting, ultimately unveiling the “champion” that lies within us all. These strategies are derived from both neurolingustic principals and sports psychology techniques proven to enhance self-motivation. These techniques incorporate principals of the main idea that our thoughts create reality (i.e., controlling our thoughts enable us to ultimately control our reality).
Applying these principals empowers the student with the ability to clearly define and focus on personal strengths, boost self-esteem and eliminate ineffective self-talk and ideologies. Students will learn how to effectively overcome potential environmental barriers (i.e., peer pressure, negative external comments, difficult home situations), in order to maintain goal-oriented focus and forward progression of personal growth and attainment of short and long term objectives.
Program includes dramatic canine portrayals and entertaining behavior demonstrations by the Canine Ability, Ltd. dogs.
*Each Canine Ability, Ltd. program is specifically formatted to age-appropriateness of each group. Outline is for organization of content only; presentation timeline differs and is professionally delivered to create and ride the wave of creative tension in order to effectively maintain interest throughout entire program.
Objectives:
> By utilizing riveting story-telling, music, and dog dramatic portrayals throughout; this unique program motivates, educates, and inspires audience members to reach for their dreams. Provides clear, easy-to-understand concepts that leave lasting impressions.
> While having fun learning about dogs, responsibility, and how dogs provide tremendous benefits to humans, students also learn important life-coaching skills through the antics of the highly-trained Canine Ability Dogs.
> By identifying the natural talents of each of the Canine Ability Dogs, students will learn to focus on their innate abilities, and gain confidence through exercises designed to develop those talents.
> Students will learn how to maintain positive focus and attainment of goals through development and implementation of the "Canine Ability Buisness Plan for Life".
> Audience members are taught how negative self-talk can push down our dreams and goals; and learn how to recognize, change, and implement a new self-talk dialog that will increase positive results and productivity.
> To learn how to maintain a postive outlook within a negative society; using common issues that affect today's children such as bullying, media saturation, body image, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
> To learn about the different types of dogs that assist people by doing different types of jobs.
>To become aware of—and empathetic towards—the environmental, attitudinal, and psychosocial barriers that exist in today’s society.
>Foster the ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental (as dogs are).
>Maintain awareness of diversity of societal groups, by becoming cognizant of how our actions today will enhance/hinder our relationships in the future.
>Using principals of personal empowerment, students will learn to set attainable goals, be resilient and proactive in the face of setbacks, and learn to trust and believe in the beauty of their dreams.
>Instill altruistic ideals and challenge students to strive for a more tolerant and accepting society in years to come.
Motivational Strategies For Achieving Personal Growth
A. Sub Modalities for change
1. Through poignant story telling, program demonstrates how we establish positive and negative belief patterns; and how we can modify those patterns in order to create success in our lives.
B. Learn how to enhance intrinsic motivation
1. Learn to self-monitor and identify “traps” currently hindering peak personal performance.
*Contrasting analysis of current belief patterns
*Changing belief patterns
*Releasing limited decisions
*Releasing negative emotions
2. Determine how to overcome resistance to change needed for personal growth.
3. Set well-defined outcomes and goals.
C. When life gets in the way of our plans
1. Utilizing adversity and change to create better opportunities
* Answers the question, “How to you continue goal attainment in the midst of set backs?”
* Demonstrates how when viewed from a positive and thoughtful perspective, adversity and setbacks can be advantageous.
* Demonstrates real-life examples of strategies that helped Kimberly overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in her life, and how these strategies can be applied in any setting to create desired outcomes.
Canine Ability’s Business Plan For Life™
School/organization will be provided with a copy of the Canine Ability’s Business Plan For Life™ in advance of the program, in order to copy and distribute to each audience member on the day of the event. During presentation, students will be given instructions on how to organize and apply the techniques provided into their personal Business Plan.
* The Business Plan For Life™ will assist students to clearly define goals, provide alternative and legitimate solutions to set backs, and will promote healthy and effective personal growth habits that will follow the student through all future endeavors.
Program’s Closing Comments:
Kimberly Carnevale’s closing comments review and solidify the motivational messages set forth throughout her program. Her insightful observations are tried and true testaments that can only come from someone who's nearly lost their life and scratched and clawed their way back on top again.
Kimberly is the perfect tour guide for those on the journey of true self-discovery who seek to create better lives and opportunities. She speaks from her heart and reaches right into her audiences' hearts—changing them forever. Her motivational strategies inspire her audiences to reach for the stars; plan alternative solutions for set backs, and effectively utilize adversity in order to become true champions in their lives.
Dog Bite Prevention
A recent study shows that 1,000 Americans are treated in emergency rooms each year as a result of dog bites--and that number is growing each year. There were 32 fatal dog attacks in 2007. Most of the victims were children, (usually between the ages of 5-9) and half of them were bitten in the face. 77% of biting dogs belonged to the victim's family or a friend. Pretty startling statistics, aren't they?
Even more disturbing is the fact that most dog bites are largely preventable with proper education and awareness. We've been doing our education programs for about ten years now. It's been a startling realization to us (and the reason that we started a dog bite prevention program) that over 99% of audiences everywhere (adults and children) do not know the proper way to greet a dog. Studies also show that most people, (even dog owners); do not realize that they may be giving off signals that may induce an attack, would not know what to do in the event of an attack, and never talk to their kids regarding bite prevention.
The Canine Ability Program provides dog bite prevention education that can help adults recognize potential dangers, help kids learn what to do when an unfamiliar or aggressive dog approaches, and how to avoid getting bitten.
Responsible Dog Ownership
Owning a dog is a wonderful experience that 60% of American households enjoy.
Many dog owners will tell you that they consider their canine friend to be a full-fledged member of the family. Some dogs are lavished with clothing and furniture that rival the most sought after fashions on Rodeo Drive. Other pet dogs find themselves somewhere in between.
Any way you look at it, a dog is a major committment that requires love and care for an average of fifteen years. Responsible dog ownership requires more than providing clean water, food, and adequate shelter. As a dog owner, you are responsible not only for a dog's physical well-being, but for his emotional well-being as well.
According to the ASPCA, 8-12 million pets are taken in by shelters nationwide each year, and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized. The sad fact is that most of these surrenders and euthanizations could have been easily prevented by having a pet spayed/neutered. Overpopulation is the leading cause of dog abuse/neglect; a growing problem that has a tangible, easy solution.
The Canine Ability Program. teaches responsible dog ownership through fun, dramatic portrayals performed by the amazing Canine and Abled dogs. Tips include choosing the right dog for your family, proper nutrition, spaying/neutering, exercise, innovative ways to have canine fun with your dog. enlisting the smallest family members to properly interact and train the family dog, and more.
Effective Canine Communication
Have you ever wondered, "Why does my dog do that when he knows he's not supposed to?" "Why does my dog ignore me?" "Why does my dog refuse to walk on a loose leash?" "Why does my dog eat my stuff when I'm away?'
Do your answers to yourself sound something like this? "He knows better; he's just doing that for spite." "He's so happy to be out, that's why he pulls on the leash." "He's ignoring me; that's the stubborn streak in him." "He gets mad when I leave him, that's why he eats my stuff..."
Ever stop to think about the reasoning behind your answers and realize that all of those thoughts are brought about by the human mind and emotions; things that the dog doesn't operate with, and therefore, can't possibly abide by?
Our dogs are part of the family, right? Of course they are. But many times, people unjustly treat their dogs like people in fur clothing. Humans wanting their dogs to be equal members of the family is one common cause of many behavioral problems. Even the most well-meaning owners unknowingly create "canine monsters" due to misunderstanding of basic canine communication.
Dogs are first, and foremost, pack animals. They instinctively adhere to a very strict social society that is made up of hierarchy. This chain of command changes constantly within a pack. Leaders must show they are worthy of alpha, or lead position. If there is no structure or leadership present within a dog's environment, he will take it upon himself to be that leader. What results are undesirable, and sometimes even aggressive behaviors that stem from a dog who has been given the role of leader; and probably didn't want it in the first place!
When dogs live with humans, we become their 'pack." Just because we have taken the dog away from other dogs and bring them into our human homes does not make them any less dog; nor does it take away any of it's innate pack behaviors. These traits are, and always will belong to the dog. No matter how much we dress them up, give them designer beds, push them in doggie strollers, or cater to them in our quirky human ways, the dog always will be a dog.
Expecting anything more (or less) will result in behavioral issues, aggression, and anxiety. Learning how a dog communciates, and responding to him in his own innate language is a gift that all dog owners should bestow upon their canine friends. It's not as hard as some might think; we're constantly giving off signals to our dogs---often they are the wrong ones, which lead to many complications. Learning how to properly and effectively communicate with our canine friends is easy, fun, and a great way to get lasting training results.
