Bottling Bad Dog™ Shampoo

You've heard about Bad Dog™ Shampoo, but do you want to know more?

Innovative and groundbreaking, Pet Connections™ offers a variety of animal assisted programs, community engagement and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.  Items in the Bad Dog™ retail line are made by people in the Pet Connections™ program.

Bad Dog™ Shampoo is a ph balanced shampoo for pets.  The ingredients are gentle and healthy, and will leave your furry friend smelling fresh, feeling clean and looking fantastic.  It is also bottled with care by people in Pet Connections™.

Stay up to date with all things Pet Connections™, including the Bad Dog™ retail line and follow the Pet Connections™ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PetConnectionsatOntarioARC.

Members of the Pet Connections™ program get ready to bottle Bad Dog™ Shampoo

Pathways Receives Flag From United States Army

As mentioned in the September 22nd post "Pathways Gives Back" participants in the Pathways program create hand-made items that they sell, and then use the money from the sales to purchase items to put together care packages for the Adopt-a-Platoon program..  In August, the group received a note from the Platoon, the 10th Mountain Division, thanking them for their continued support.

This week, the 10th Mountain Division shared their thanks again with an official flag and plaque dedicated to "The Men and Women in the Pathways program."  The flag was flown over the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF-10) Headquarters at the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on September 11, 2014.

From everyone in the Pathways program and from all of us here at Ontario ARC, we are truly humbled by this honor.  Thank you to the men and women who served, and to those who continue to serve and protect our country.  We are truly grateful for your dedication!

Members of the Pathways program stand with the flag and plaque.

Creative Expressions November Art Gallery

Active Academy Open House

The Active Academy after school program is heading into it's 3rd year of providing children with Autism a welcoming, safe and fun environment in the Victor Central School District and Canandaigua Central School District.  The focus of the program is on academics, reading, comprehension and social skill development.  

A Special Education Teacher provides daily homework assistance, and a Behavioral Specialist provides group activities that are geared towards improving behavior, social skills and sensory processing.  The Pet Connection's Tales for Tails reading program makes weekly visits to the students, allowing children to develop their read aloud skills in a non-judgmental environment and encourage a life-long love of reading.

If you'd like to learn more about the Active Academy program in Victor and Canandaigua, visit the upcoming Open House Events!  

Canandaigua School District

Active Academy Open House - Monday, October 20th from 5-6 PM

Canandaigua Elementary Building, Room 315 (Multimedia Room)

Victor School District

Active Academy Open House - Tuesday, October 21st from 5-6 PM

Victor Primary Building, Room 111

Creative Expressions October Art Gallery

Pathways Gives Back

The Pathways program is always finding new ways to give back to the community, both locally and across the globe.  One of the great ways that Pathways gives back is with the Adopt-a-Platoon program.  Throughout the year the participants create hand-made items that they sell, and then use the money from the sales to purchase items for donation.

 In August, the group sent along a care package and received a note from the Platoon thanking them for their continued support.

"Thanks for all the goodies.  The soldiers enjoy receiving these.  You may not be tracking but, we will begin our preparations to head back to the good o'USA soon.  We truly do appreciate all your folks kindness in preparing the boxes.

We are all doing well and in good spirits.  We are constantly busy so time is always passing us by.  I work every day by a quote from Muhamad Ali, 'Don't count the days; make the days count.'  We just always believe we have to make a difference every day.

.... Once again just want to say thank you very much for your support."

Out & About

The Autism Center at Ontario ARC recently launched a new social skills group focused on building communication skills in community settings.  "Out & About" will be a unique opportunity for children to work on social skills in a group setting and then put those skills into practice in the community at local events and group-chosen activities.

The most recent "Out & About" outing was at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua, where the group was able to bowl and play laser tag.  Two moms also joined in on the fun as chaperones, and even participated in laser tag!  The fun energy of the evening helped all of the stress and worry of normal social interactions and community outings fly away and everyone had a blast!  

Photo credit: https://plus.google.com/117069235441810848466/about

We would like to send a big THANK YOU to the parents who continue to support children with specific needs - your job never ends and sometimes seems endless.  We hope that this opportunity, and future "Out & About" events will provide more opportunities to let go, laugh and have fun!

- The Autism Center staff

Thank You Direct Support Professionals!

This is a wonderful week to thank our Direct Support Professionals for all they do. I have said many times that our Direct Support staff are the backbone of the organization and I say that with sincerity.
We are fortunate that our Direct Support staff rise to the challenge every day and assist the individuals we support overcome challenges and reach their full potential. DSP’s are the front line in providing for health and safety. There is no more important job and they deserve our respect every day!!!

Enjoy the day, Ann Scheetz

Creative Expressions: September Art Gallery

CRUISIN' for a CAUSE landed ashore - and raised over $70,000 for Ontario ARC!