Helping Paws
Quotes and Reviews

   Amy

   Larry


   Daryl


    Our Book
Character Tales

Dear Mrs. Hicks,

 It was fun when I got to meet one of the dogs, I hope I get to meet them soon again. Thank you for it.

Kindergarten Student

The Camden Chronicle (by Susan Corbin)

On Wednesday, April 23^rd, Amy Elmore Hicks, Ed.S., appeared at the Big Sandy School along with her mother, Barbara Elmore, and Larry. “Dogs just have a way with children!” Hicks states in her pamphlet regarding Helping Paws. “Dogs are wonderful listeners and children usually respond very positively to dogs.”

Daryl and Larry, two special 4-year-old rescued black lab mixes, are the ‘Helping Paws’ who assist Amy, educator and counselor, as she travels to schools, churches and after-school programs, bringing powerful lessons to children. The dogs were rescued and adopted through the foster care component of E.S.P. (Exclusively Shelter Pets), Cleveland, TN. They are qualified to run, play and dig, and are happiest when in the middle of a group of children. Daryl and Larry have passed obedience training, the canine good citizen test and are registered therapy dogs. They ‘volunteer’ regularly with Alzheimer’s patients.

Hicks has her Master’s Degree in Education and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is a certified school counselor with eleven years experience in public education, and a member of the following organizations: American School Counselor Association, Delta Kappa Gamma (for women educators), and TheraPaws of Atlanta.

The Helping Paws teaches programs on: Character Education, Anger Management, Bullying, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Drug Awareness, and Life Skills.

Their mission states that their purpose is to enrich the lives of children by providing unconditional love while providing educational and social programming. 

Dear Amy, Daryl, and Larry

Thank you for coming to our school. I really liked to see Larry do different things! I wish you could've brought Daryl with you. Anyways thanks again for coming to Holladay School. Hope ya’ll had fun.                                                      

Your Helping Paws Friend

I have received ALL good reviews about the program you did.  We are recommending you to Tiger Creek Elementary
  Counselor-West Side Elementary School 

I think the children did learn from the program. Larry was WONDERFUL!!
  2nd Grade Teacher

I thought it was great and the kids loved it.
  3rd Grade Teacher

Kids enjoyed the presentation...worth the time
  Preschool Program

Hi, Amy!  I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your presentation at Yes2Kids, I think you are doing great things, and I'm looking forward to learning more. 

Program Coordinator for Greenway & Wetlands Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department

Hi Amy!
I received your book yesterday...It's great!   Tell Daryl & Larry they know how to strike a pose!!!
Great job!  
Linda
Jacksonville, Fl

Hi Amy,
            I just had an opportunity today to read your 'Helping Paws' flyer.What a wonderful way to reach out to children and seniors too.            Parent, Polk County, Tennessee

Thank you for coming.  I did not tell them ahead of time this morning. They would have been so excited, we would not have gotten anything done.  They always love your visits.
  2nd Grade Teacher

Hi Amy,
               Words can't express my thanks enough for your gift to us this weekend.  As I read through the feedback sheets from the weekend this morning I came across one that stated your dogs were their HIGHLIGHT of their weekend!  The feedback from the parents was very positive and they expressed appreciation for the quality of care their children received.  They were able to fully relax and enjoy the weekend.  Thank you for coming, and for sharing yourself.  I hope that we can work more together in the future.  Give Larry and Daryl a hug from me.
 
Memorial Hospital We Care Cancer Weekend

Hi Amy,
       I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how proud I am to know you and what a great service you are providing with your Helping Paws program.  You are an inspiration, keep up the great work.
Business Owner

"Amy did an amazing job with the children in my program. With other lessons the children are rowdy and get bored easily, but they were locked into what she and her dog had to say, and they were excited about seeing them again!" 
After School Coordinator