Stories

  Visually-impaired student Rachel plays “baby” with Dustin. Accompanied by teacher/handler Diane Rampelberg, Dustin’s Paw interactive play themed “kits” encourage development of many of the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) goals such as fine and gross motor skills, colors, shapes, and socialization. Asked what was her favorite activity to “play” with Dustin, Rachel replied, “Baby […]

Meet Matthew, a student in Mary Shide-Hartje’s Communication Class. He’s learning to take his turn while putting together a puzzle with Ovelle. To play, Ovelle needs to “GET” the puzzle piece out by grasping the piece knob in her teeth and then pulling it out of puzzle or dropping the piece in and pushing it […]

My non-verbal patient with Down Syndrome (10 years old) came to me in order to better communicate with the use of an assistive technology device (The Vantage Lite). Keeping this patient motivated was a challenge! He never wanted to participate in the activities I had planned and got easily frustrated if he wasn’t in control […]

I have know Diane Rampelberg and the dogs for approximately 5 ½ years. She came into our lives at very critical time. Our son, Calvin, who has Down Syndrome, was entering the Jumpstart program at Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services Pediatrics in Meridianwhile in the midst of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My main concern for […]