Enriching lives through generations using canine helpers.

Mission

Bella’s Buddies K9U program includes public school student involvement in training golden retrievers and goldendoodles for use as future therapy dogs for veterans and schools in need. K9U responds to schools and communities in crisis by providing trained dog/handler teams who are trained in conflict resolution and grief response.

Vision

Bella’s Buddies will join canines trained to alert and respond to specific medical and emotional needs with organizations and individuals to increase social and behavioral proficiencies, promote physical wellness, and encourage independence in solitary and social environments. The Bella’s Buddies K9U training program will work to promote public school student interest in contributing to society and appreciating the service of veterans by utilizing the classroom setting to train future service, facility and emotional support dogs for individuals whose lives may be enriched by a canine helper.

Goals

Bella’s Buddies K9U will bring Animal Assisted Therapy candidates into public school classrooms using teacher fosters and student-involved training to enrich the learning environment. After successfully completing the K9U program, graduates will be donated to veterans homes, public schools, churches, and other organizations who serve their communities.

IMPROVE SELF-ESTEEM AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WHILE INSTILLING A DESIRE TO SERVE OTHERS

To provide public school students with positive academic, emotional and behavioral support using Animal Assisted Therapy. To expand student utilization of conflict resolution skills and proper techniques to engage in difficult and meaningful conversations.

To ease test anxiety, offer grief support and motivate struggling students by involving them in the K9U training process.

REDUCE SCHOOL VIOLENCE

To share relationship-building skills and trustworthiness among young people using AAT and to foster a desire to help others. To utilize canines as a means of teaching self-respect and respect for others, emphasizing shared responsibilities and positive choices, impacting student self-esteem and confidence in the classroom.

To serve other school districts in crisis by deploying student K9U teams to help with grief support. To encourage positive communication and constructive dialogue, including mediation, in order to best avoid physical altercations on school campus.

USE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO TRAIN K9 CANDIDATES FOR SERVICE TO OTHERS

To teach canines proper calming techniques and self-regulation during moments of human stress or anxiety. To use students to teach basic obedience and respect of personal territory to future helper dogs.

DONATE TRAINED CANINES TO THOSE IN NEED

To place graduates of the K9U program into state-run veterans homes through our partnership with Texas State Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and public schools where emotional and behavioral needs of the school community may be improved through the use of Animal Assisted Therapy.

To provide for community opportunities to benefit from the use of Animal Assisted Therapy through visits by trained dogs, including but not limited to: courtroom support, Hospice, nursing homes, Child Protective Services, residential facilities for underage human trafficking victims, military installations, and symposiums and conferences related to PTSD, autism and AAT awareness.