Ok, so most of you know about Drift Therapy, and the wonderful work that my Drifty Dog does with mentally ill children and adolescents. I was asked today to present an hour long training on Therapy Dogs. The company I work for will be hosting a 2 day seminar on various mental health topics. The owners have met Drift and she has amazed them with what she can do... of COURSE!!! People attending this conference will be other mental health workers, social workers, and school staff.

I am willing to do it, even though I turn bright red and hyperventilate when I speak to groups of more than 3 people. BUT, this is something that I just kind of fell into...

Do any of you wonderful fans of the Drifty Dog have any thoughts on material that I can use as handouts?? Any ideas of other material that I can present? Drift will be coming with me for moral support, as well as a really awesome visual aid!!

I was thinking of going over the personality traits and training of a Therapy Dog, or Animal Assisted Therapy Dog. The benefits of having a Therapy Dog on site. As well as sharing Drifty Dog stories. That can't possibly take an hour, can it??

Thanks for any input you have!!!

--Kel (and Drift the Magnificent)

Just wanted to wish you luck!

I had an IEP to go to for one of my students last week and I was asked to speak pretty much first up...in front of everyone important at the school, where I do not work and had never been to before...

I prepped a bit, but it was the fact that I am passionate about what I do and how it helps this boy that made it easy to talk and talk and talk. It was actually great

The Drift Stories are a must!

Maybe you can branch out and add some on how to incorporate a therapy dog program if they don't already have one.

How to recognize a "legit" therapy dog.

Still thinking....

I feel your pain. I HATE PUBLIC Speaking. Took me about two decades of it before I released my death grip on the podiums. LOL

ARG, public speaking.
Maybe you could use some short Leerburg videos, perhaps of the marker training, to pad your talk.
Lots of visual aids really can help --- as long as the visual aids are working. If you are giving a talk and the equipment is uncooperative, that can be even more nerve wracking!

They key to public speaking is realizing that most everyone in the room is as uncomfortable in the speaker position as you are!

Nobody likes it and they're all happy that it's you and not them.

You have an advantage over the other speakers because you get to tell uplifting animals stories - people LOVE to hear those. You'll probably be one of the most popular speakers of the event. And Plan on speaking about 40-45 minutes - leave 15-20 minutes for Q&A. And if you get out 5 minutes early, everyone will like an extra break!

Write a good outline ahead of time - something that will cue you when your mind goes blank.

Have more animal assisted therapy stories from other settings - show how therapy dogs are universally comforting, regardless of situation or age group.

Demonstrate how you train certain behaviors and explain why those behaviors are helpful.

You'll both do great!

"Plan on speaking about 40-45 minutes - leave 15-20 minutes for Q&A. And if you get out 5 minutes early, everyone will like an extra break!

Write a good outline ahead of time - something that will cue you when your mind goes blank."

Also, you might want to rehearse for your timing .... and when you speak, speak to two folks in the back of the room. (You can alternate between them so you don't get "fixated" and not move your eyes).


Two hints I was given once that helped me a lot ....

One word: Powerpoint :-) If at all possible do a power point presentation with humor interspersed in the presentation. That helps to keep people awake. I have lectured to classes on various issues and if I am able to use a powerpoint it makes it way easier.

We have permission from the parents of our clients to video them and I was thinking of maybe having the kids explain why they think having Drift there helps them. Or if we could catch Drift doing what she does so well.... even just photos of Drift with the kids will convey a pretty strong message.

I also have all of the thank you cards and pictures and stuff that the kids have made for Drift that I can take as well.

POWERPOINT Ingrid?? Dear Lord, I have to use POWERPOINT???!!! I can barely turn my computer on in the morning...

Edited by Kelly (05/24/2011 08:56 PM)
Edit reason: couldn't even spell Powerpoint!

 Quote: Kelly

We have permission from the parents of our clients to video them and I was thinking of maybe having the kids explain why they think having Drift there helps them. Or if we could catch Drift doing what she does so well.... even just photos of Drift with the kids will convey a pretty strong message.

I also have all of the thank you cards and pictures and stuff that the kids have made for Drift that I can take as well.

How will you project the pics large enough to see?