5 Employees | Founded in 1998
Improving and enhancing life skills and promoting companionship through the placement of specially selected service dogs with qualified individuals, and further, to always celebrate the mystery and joy inherent in the canine/human bond.
The generous grant from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust provides resources to raise and train service dogs and facility dogs. A specially trained Service Dog helps a child with disabilities live more independently. CHAMP serves children with illness and disabilities including: Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, Spinal Bifida, and cognitive disabilities.
CHAMP Facility Dogs are placed with a professional in a facility who serves as a handler and works with a specific population of children. It costs CHAMP around 20,000 to train a service or facility dog. All CHAMP’s dogs a re placed free-of-charge.
The canine human bond is a well-documented source of psychological benefits and it serves to enhance the dignity and independence of a child with disabilities. When a child experiences poor physical or mental health they frequently experience feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Interactions with an assistance dog can provide benefits including: reduction of loneliness or stress, decreases in blood pressure and lower heart rates. A service dog can also promote social interaction and emotional well-being.
Facility dogs receive the same training as service dogs and work with professional care givers such as occupational or physical therapists. The facility dog serves to motivate and enhance the accomplishment of a client’s or patient’s goals. The dog helps to engage patients in activities that stimulate healing and recovery. Thanks in part to the received grant from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust, CHAMP placed a facility dog at the Child Center is Wentzville that comforts children who are required to undergo a forensic interview. The use of a Facility Dog in a child advocacy center or courtroom brings about a major change in how we meet the emotional and mental needs of children involved in the criminal justice system. The facility dog soothes children who have gone through emotional or physical trauma due to criminal activity. The dog often boosts the child’s confidence and helps them find their voice when faced with a very difficult and emotional situation, such as facing their abuser when they testify in court. In June of 2016, CHAMP also placed a facility dog at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
