Human-Canine Synergy

Abstract

This chapter presents the basic concept and the components of the dogs in learning program, as a manifestation of the human-canine synergy in education, in use at the American Community Schools Athens. The implementation of the program at the school has shown that various curriculum subjects can be taught more effectively and in a playful and enjoyable manner, when the learner is fully engaged with the help of dogs in the learning process. By following all levels of the human-canine synergy and a spiral curriculum using instructional dogs, several basic issues related to human behavior and education are internalized by the students, and inspire them to develop the wisdom to transform their educational experience, the basic educational contribution of the dogs in learning program.