Your School Could WIN a Free Skype Visit with Inspirational Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Skype visit with school in Illinois last spring

Oh so easy to enter!  All you have to do is let your child's (or grandchild's) school teacher or librarian know we are giving away a FREE Skype presentation with Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog (you can do that by forwarding this post along with a personal note).  Then all the teacher or librarian needs to do is email us with this note in the body of email: Our school would love to win a free Skype presentation with Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog! Please include contact name, school name, address, phone and email. Send email to barb at joyfulpaws dot com. Teachers/librarians can enter through midnight September 14, 2011 .Winner will be chosen at random and notified on Thursday, September 15.  Skype presentation will need to be scheduled no later than May 30, 2012. Open to schools in US and Canada. For more information on our Skype presentations check out our free Skype ebook on planning a Skype visit with us. Frankie will inspire and uplift your students to be the best they can be!!   The students had such a great time during their webcam visit with Mrs. Techel and Frankie.  They were even more inspiring in person.  Mrs. Techel had Frankie right there with her during our web cam visit.  Frankie even fell asleep on her desk.  She showed the class how Frankie got in and out of her wheelchair, explained how she cared for Frankie, gave us a first hand view of her writing studio, and explained the writing process from the gathering of ideas, to the editing, and the publishing stages. ~Karen Elz, 3rd grade elementary teacher,  Shiloh Point Elementary School, Georgia

Authors & Technology, The Future Is Now- Blog Talk Radio

Join my author mom, Barbara Techel on Monday, August 1st, 2011 as Dr. Barbara Holstein interviews her about our success in sharing our books and message of hope with classrooms across the US and Canada via Skype.

This show invites experts intechnology to discuss the future, which is happening now. 

In this show Barbara Techel, award-winning author of the Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series will be sharing how she has used technology such as Skype, and how you can too!. She has shared her story of hope and inspiration about her dachshund, Frankie, who is in a wheelchair, with thousands of children and adults since 2007. To date they have made over 300 appearances in Wisconsin and many more via Skype to classrooms across the US and Canada. Barbara is also a speaker and publisher. Barbara and Frankie are avid volunteers as a therapy dog team. They routinely visit a local hospice community, hospital and senior assisted living facility, where they “walk their talk” about the inspirational nature of perseverance in the face of challenge

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Remember, authors will be virtually entering schools, libraries, book clubs, businesses, etc. beyond our wildest dreams.  They will be using Skype and other means to reach people around the world, including e-books, webinars, teleclasses and processes that have yet to materialize. 

Authors need to be ready, as the future is now.  Please join us

John L. Hensey Students Meet Frankie & Favorite Author Via Skype

My mom (award-winning author, Barbara Techel) and I were so excited to meet with Mrs. Burd's early childhood class recently and I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my home... we were able to meet via the wonderful technology of Skype!  The full story is below from the Washington Times Reporter by Brandon Schatsick.

Photo by Washington Times

Students in Kim Burd’s class at John L. Hensey School were able to meet face-to-face with the author of one of their favorite books who lives in Wisconsin April 7; nevermind the fact that they met with more than 150 miles separating them.

Burd’s early childhood class recently finished reading “Frankie: The Walk ‘n Roll Dog” about a miniature dachshund who ruptured a disk in her back, becoming permanently paralyzed in that area. Frankie’s owner and author of the book, Barbara Techel found a dog cart for Frankie and decided to chronicle the every day life of a dog in said cart.

“It’s about a real animal with real challenges ... the message is about never giving up and you have to put your best paw forward,” Burd said. 

The class was able to meet with Techel and Frankie through the class’ new interactive board from PolyVision and a computer program called Skype. 

Burd said it was all thanks to a grant that allows schools to implement new technology in the classroom.

“I just got this technology in my room and for me to be able to learn that with the children ... they loved seeing everything very big on the wall,” Burd said of the projected Techel holding Frankie on the other end of the connection. “They wanted to go up and pet Frankie like she was actually there.” 

Frankie, a trained therapy dog, often accompanies Techel as they visit hospitals and schools to teach people about overcoming challenges. Although Techel couldn’t make it to Washington, Burd, who uses Techel’s website www.joyfulpaws.com for teaching assistance with the book, thought it would be worth a shot to see if the two of them could set up a Skype date.

“Isn’t this great?” Techel said to the class, referring to the Internet meeting. “With Frankie being in a wheelchair ... and Frankie’s almost 12 years old, for me to travel with her it’s not necessarily a good thing because I don’t want to over-stress her ... I’m so glad we can meet kids like you via Skype.”

“She provides (lesson plans, etc.) for teachers to use her book as a learning tool ... she’s made it very fun to want to do this as a teacher with the kids and all of the positive things you can teach them (through Frankie’s story),” Burd said. “(Meeting with her via Skype) was just the icing on the cake.”

During the meeting, kids asked questions about where Frankie sleeps (in bed with Techel and her husband), if his cart works in the grass (it works rather well actually, Techel said) and they showed her pictures they colored of Frankie..

Photo by Washington Times

“That looks like Frankie; you got the colors right and everything,” Techel said upon seeing them on her computer screen. 

Techel then had a fashion show with Frankie putting on a couple of her favorite hats including a cowgirl hat, biker helmet and floppy summer hat.

“We’ve done all kinds of neat things, but to be able to visit with someone like that and make it a lesson, was very powerful to see that.”

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Teachers!  If you are interested in having me and my author Mom, Barbara Techel, visit your classroom via Skype check out our free downloadable Skype e-book to help you plan a visit with us!  We'd love to meet you and your students.

Frankie Makes Visit to New Holstein Public Library

Tuesday, April 5th I made my 2nd appearance at New Holstein Public Library in Wisconsin and I was once again a big hit!

My favorite part is when my mom shares with the children how when I first got in my wheelchair and I didn't budge an inch. The kids really giggle when my mom says, "Run free Frankie, I know you can do it" and I stand still as a statue!  My mom then shows the children how I learned to 'walk 'n roll' in my wheelchair by throwing treats for me and I roll after them!  yum and fun!

Frankie is available to visit your school or library in-person if you are located in Wisconsin or she also can visit your school or library via Skype!

Teachers: download our free ebook to help plan an in-person or skype visit.
Librarians: download our free ebook to help plan an in-person or skype visit.

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Skype's with Siren the Fire Safety Dog & Tango

Skyping, and sharing my positive message with classrooms across the US and Canada is one of my favorite things to do-- so imagine how excited I was to team up with Siren the Fire Safety Dog and his brother and talk with Ms. Karen's class in Canada!  We set it up a group Skype call as a Q & A session and the kids had great questions for all us techie dogs.

One of the students, Becca, was the photographer and got some great photos from the point of them seeing all of us on the screen in their classroom.

A special thank you to Becca for your great photography and Ms. Karen for inviting us into her classroom, as well as Siren and Tango's Mom for setting up the group Skype call.

Skype Classroom Visit with 4th Graders from Spring Valley, NY

Skype Classroom Visit with 4th Graders from New York

Getting reactions back from children that my author Mom (Barbara Techel) and I meet via Skype (and in-person) is one of th most rewarding things about what we do. My heart flutters really fast when I hear back from kids... it is so priceless!  Tuesday we did a Skype call with a Mrs. Gershenoff''s 4th grade class at Hempstead Elementary School in Spring Valley, NY.  They are studying nonfiction books and writing books of their own as part of their studies.  Their teacher sent some of their reactions to us connecting with them via Skype which they put in their writer's notebook.

Photo taken by Mrs. Gershenoff from the view of the classroom while talking to me and Frankie on Skype!

By: Jonathan

Oh my gosh!  It was so cool!  This was my first time that I really saw an author.  My heart was beating so fast. I had butterflies in my stomach when I asked my question.  I didn’t know when we read the book that she was going to actually Skype with us.  I was so excited!  My brother is going to be jealous that I met and author.  So are my friends.

By: Christy

Skyping with Barbara Techel was amazing! We even got to see Frankie!  She was so cute.  Barbara even woke her up from her beauty sleep to  show her to us. She answered all of our questions.  She even said she would talk about us on TV, but only if she got back on TV.  Maybe if Mrs. Gershenoff gives me her email and Skype I can Skype her too.

By: Adelle

I really liked when the author showed us Frankie.  I would like to do it again! It was sooo cute Skyping with a real author.  I really wish Frankie and Mrs. Techel would visit us in person.  I also wish we had more time together on Skype.

By: Ryan

It was so overwhelming to see a real life character from a book!  I would love to do this again!

By: Lewis

OMG! Meeting Barbara Techel and Frankie was soooo exciting!  I was ready to hog the computer and talk to Barbara all day and not give the others a turn.

This is what they posted on their classroom website as well:

3.09.11 Wow!  Today we had an amazing experience!  We Skyped with an Award Winning Author, Barbara Techel, author of Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog.  She taught us about writing our own nonfiction stories and gave us tips on what to do if we get stuck on writing a part of our story.  She also shared some of her own personal feelings and life events about her dog Frankie and her challenges.  Be sure to ask your child all about this incredible activity! Also, check out our class blog where we posted about the book.  We even received a blog post from Barbara Techel! I have also sent home a flier if you are intersted in purchasing an autographed copy of one of Ms. Techel's books.

The Dachshund Song

Today on a Skype group call with Siren the Fire Safety Dog and Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, Ms. Karen's 5th grade class asked us lots of questions about our special dogs!  One of the question to Frankie was:  "What's Frankie's favorite song?"  So here it is Ms. Karen's class!  The Dachshund Song!  Enjoy!

Skype with Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Calling all teachers and librarians who use Skype!

Do you want to inspire your kids to be the best they can be?

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog shares her true, inspiring story via Skype and classrooms are loving when she visits!  As you can see by the two photos below it is almost like Frankie is right there in-person (err dog!) for the kids to see her.  She hangs out on her author Mom, Barbara Techel's desk while Barbara tells the children all about Frankie.  

Our 30-minute program includes introduction of Frankie, PowerPoint with lots of fun photos, demonstration of how Frankie uses her wheelchair, and Q & A. For classrooms of 30 or less the program is very interactive with Barbara asking questions of the kids as she does the presentation, as well as the kids being able to learn about technology by approaching the webcam to ask their questions.

What other teachers are saying:

Students at my school in Canada used Skype to connect via the Internet with Barbara and Frankie who live in Wisconsin. The students were so excited and amazed at the experience.  It seemed as if Frankie and Barbara were sitting right in their classroom!

The students were able to interact with Frankie and Barbara. They asked many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and how to stay positive no matter what challenges they might face.  The Skype has been their favorite part of the school year!      ~Karen Keys, Teacher Librarian Canada

Our visit with you and Frankie was fabulous!  The children couldn't stop talking about it.  Not only did you make Frankie's story come alive for these students, you were able to make writing more real.  Not one of these students have ever met an author, much less had a visit with one.  I believe they received your message and also came away with a better understanding of what writing really is. ~Susan Ownens, special education teacher, Cheatham Park Elementary, Springfield, TN

For more information on inviting Frankie to Skype with your classroom visit our website and download a free copy of our ebook on helping plan a Skype visit.
We have some openings for April and May so be sure to contact us today if you are interested!