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

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Visits Brooklyn Elementary School Via Skype and "In-Dog"

Brooklyn Elementary School was a highly anticipated event for my mom and I.  We could hardly wait for the big day to arrive when we would meet all the kiddo's in-person and err, "in-dog."  Arf!

Third grade teacher, Joyce Gilmour and the PTO have a special program called P.A.W.S which stands for "Positive Attitude + Work = Success."  Each year they pick a theme and this years theme was to encourage the children about the bucket filling concept based on Bucket Fillers 101.

My books messages were a perfect fit for their program since I encourage kiddo's to be positive despite challenges, and I also encourage finding a way to give back even when facing challenges.

To kick off the event my mom and I connected with the school in December via Skype and my mom read my book, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog to the whole school.

Then in Janurary we connected with the school once again via Skype, and this time my mom read them my second book, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House.

As part of their bucket filling projects Brooklyn Elementary chose Families-In-Need-of-Assistance which helps their local families who are struggling, and help with paying for food, gas, etc. They will be doing a Walk-A-Thon soon to help raise money for the program.

They also chose REACH-a-Child which "aims to put smiles on the faces of children in crisis across America through the power of books. Whether the children are in the hospital, victims of domestic disturbance, or automobile accident or temporarily homeless, REACH a Child wants to help the first responders engage these children in a positive way."

The BIG DAY finally arrived when we made the 2-hour drive to Brooklyn, WI to see the kiddo's live!  We heard there was much anticipation of the special day with many kiddo's asking days before what day they would meet us.

When we arrived we saw the big donation box for books and oodles of books surrounding the box on the floor that will benefit REACH-a-Child program.  I donated to sets of my books, along with a stack of other gently used dog books my mom had in her home library.

Here I am donating to REACH-a-Child!  Hot-diggity dog fun!

As we moved down the hallway the walls were lined with bucket cut outs in all colors with one representing each child and their bucket filling efforts for the year.  So inspiring!  And then as we neared the end of the hallway, there on the wall were pictures of me and my mom!  Perfect time for a picture for me to pose with extraordinary third grade teacher of 36-years, Mrs. Joyce Gilmour.  BTW:  Mrs. Gilmour will be retiring this year and we wish her the best of luck!

I love Mrs. Gilmour!

My mom and I did two presentations that day and enjoyed each and every moment. One of the most touching moments was meeting a little girl who had a brain tumor removed earlier that year.  She is now in remission and we are praying that she will continue to recover and heal.  Please keep her in your prayers.  

The kiddo's had FANTASTIC questions!  My mom got all choked up when one young boy asked if my mom would rather have a Frankie that walks or one in a wheelchair.  She told the audience that of course she wished with all her heart that I could walk normal again, but she wouldn't trade one single moment of what she has had with me... and someday she hopes to adopt another special needs dachshund.

To round out the perfect day we were presented with thank you cards, which always brings tears to my mom's eyes.  We LOVE getting thank you cards and letters.  Once we got home, Mom read each and everyone of them to me.  Then it was time for another photo session!

Posing with all my special thank you cards!

Thank you, Brooklyn Elementary for a wonderful day!  It was the best meeting all of you, and my mom and I are so proud of all your bucket filling efforts!  Keep up the great work!

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.”

xxx

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.

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.

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!

3rd Grader Shares Thoughts about Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book

As part of a wonderful program at a school in Wisconsin, the focus for the school this year is about "Bucketfilling."  Giving back each and every day.  As part of the program they have invited me to share my story (with a little help from my mom since I can't talk human!).

In December I snuggled in my mom's lap while she read my first book Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog to a gymnasium full of kids via Skype.  Jan. 17th mom will read my 2nd book via Skype Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House which has many bucketfilling lessons!

Getting ready to share my story via Skype in mom's writing studio

After the reading in December the students had to write something about the first book and here is what Carrie, in third grade, had to say:


Frankie the Walk ' Roll Dog is about a dog named Frankie and how one day her owner goes to Florida, leaves her at a kennel, and when she jumps up to get some food, she falls and loses feeling in her back legs and needs a dog cart.  I think that this book is a five star book for family friendliness and you should get it right away!!

Wonderful, Carrie!  Arf-a-roo!  My mom and I are really looking forward to our visit with all of you again via Skype in a few days, as well as our in person (and dog!) visit in May!

How to Plan an Author Visit with Barbara Techel & Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Author Visit Via Skype or In-Person with Barbara Techel & Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog will uplift and inspire your students, teachers!

Frankie will instill in your students how to make positive choices, deal with adversity, give back to their community despite challenges and help them see differences in a positive way.


During our visit whether in person or via Skype Frankie will share her journey of how she could walk like a regular dog for the first six years of her life, how she became injured, was custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair and persevered. Not once did Frankie feel sorry for herself and she will inspire your students to be the best and to never give up, no matter what.

Our typical half hour program includes:

•Introduction of Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog
•Frankie's story via Power Point
•Video (if via Skype) of Frankie rolling in her wheels, or demo in person
•Demo of how Frankie gets in and out of her doggie wheelchair with student participation
•Demo of physical therapy Frankie had with student participation
•Selected reading
•Q & A

Contact author, Barbara Techel and Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog for available dates and fees. For more information on our in-person visits, as well as Skype visits please visit our website and click on teacher tab.

There you will find a free down loadable ebook to help plan your visit whether via Skype or in-person.

We look forward to meeting you and your students soon!

Special note: If your school does not use Skype we are open to other types of video conferencing so don't hesitate to contact us.

Teachers & Students love Skype Visits with Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

What fun my mom and I are having sharing our message of hope and inspiration and meeting so many different teachers and students around the world, and all with the help of the Internet.
We have used Skype, but also worked with video conferencing that schools have in-house.  It is a dog-gone amazing way to meet wonderful kids from all over the US and Canada.  You inspire US!
Check out below what teachers are saying about the experience!  If you would like more information please visit our special teacher section on our website.  We would love to meet you and your students virtually!

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

I was apprehensive about the vist, but it was tremendous. I wondered if 500+ children would be able to attend to the screen and realize they were having a conversation with an author. You did it! They stayed on task for the entire visit. The variety of activity--your talking, the Powerpoint, the video and Frankie's presence all worked together to keep them engaged. Thank you-- you made me look good! ~Kathy Howell, library media specialist, Clarksville Primary School, Arkansas

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

Through the magic of technology we were able to host Barb & Frankie for an in-class(ish) presentation via Skype. Barb was able to take the kids through the notion of overcoming challenges, making a difference in the lives of others, and facing hardship in a positive, life-changing way. They were CAPTIVATED which is a pretty big deal for six-year-olds. ~Ben Bordeau, Who's Your Dachshund blogger and Jason Wade, 1st grade teacher, Bicentennial School, Canada

Invite Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog & Her Author Mom to Your Classroom or Library Via Skype- No Cost!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Award-winning children’s book author Barbara Techel and her dog Frankie who is well known as the Walk ‘N Roll Dog because she gets along in a doggie wheelchair are offering free Skype programs (see details below) to the first 10 teachers or librarians that contact them. Frankie is the star of her own books, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog  and Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House. Both books are true, inspirational stories about overcoming challenges by thinking positive and giving back to the world in our own, unique way despite our challenges.



Enjoy a program where children can virtually meet Frankie via the technology of Skype, learn about disabilities, help students overcome their own challenges in a positive way, see a demonstration of how Frankie’s wheelchair works and how she can "fly" in her wheels, as well as hear a selected reading of Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book. Overall you and your students or patrons will have a dog-gone good time meeting and learning about Frankie and her mission to bring a positive face and voice to all animals with disabilities, and encourage others who also have challenges. To learn more, visit Barbara and Frankie on their author visits link on their website at or Skype an author.


We are offering 10 free presentations via Skype (one per school or library), first come, first serve and this is for a limited time and expires March 31st, 2010. If you are interested please contact us via email at joyfulpaws@yahoo.com Please feel free to share this information with the teachers and librarians in your life!



Testimonial

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 were 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 and asked and answered many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and how to stay postive no matter what challenges they might face. The Skype has been their favorite part of the school year!

~Karen Keys, Teacher Librarian Canada

Dealing with the Death of a Pet

Yvonne Perry & special grandson, Sid, who her book "The Sid Series" was inspired by

It is with tail wagging pleasure that I welcome a very special lady today to my blog. Yvonne Perry is the author of The Sid Series. A collection of twelve holistic stories for children that share messages to support the whole child-- body, soul and spirit-- by empowering and building self esteem. These lessons are modeled after Yvonne's grandson, Sidney.

One of the stories is called "Puppy Love" and it as about dealing with the death of a beloved pet. Yvonne has been kind enough to share an article with us that she wrote to help you if you have ever had to deal with this, or may in the future. Without further ado, I give you my BFF (best friends forever) wonderful article:

Dealing with the Death of a Pet

I’m Yvonne Perry and I’m the author of The Sid Series. The main character in my book is my grandson, who is now eight years old. His name is Sidney. In real life, he lives in the country. When his family first moved there, the house didn’t have a fence around it. He has owned several dogs and cats—all shapes and sizes, but it seemed like every time he got close to one of his pets, they would run away or die. Sid’s yard now has a fence so Queen and Lucy will stay home where it is safe.

I remember my first dog. Her name was Snooks and she was a German shepherd. I loved it when she had a litter of puppies! I hated it when she died of heartworms. I was about twelve years old. That wasn’t my first encounter with death, but it was the first time I had lost a pet and I was pretty upset because I couldn’t see her or play with her anymore.

I wrote the stories in The Sid Series book to help kids find answers to some things they may have questions about. For example, it’s hard to understand death. It makes us feel sad when someone we love dies. Some adults say it means that you just don’t exist anymore. Others say being dead means the body can’t do anything, so the spirit leaves the body and goes to a wonderful place called heaven. Some people will tell you that dogs and cats don’t have souls so they can’t go to heaven, but I don’t believe that. I believe in a place known as the afterlife. It’s just like the place you existed before you came alive in the body you have now. Most of us don’t remember where we were before we were born, but I call it the Rainbow World. It must be a good place since none of us have bad memories of it.

Scrap is the family dog in my story titled “Puppy Love.” Scrap is old and she’s had a good life, but it’s time for her to go to the Rainbow World. One morning, her family finds her in her favorite sleeping spot, but she’s not moving; she can’t get up and she can’t bark or chase the tractor like she used to. That’s because she is dead. The family is sad and everyone cries. They wrap her in her favorite blanket, dig a big hole in the ground, and put her body in it. It’s like planting a flower or seed, but Scrap’s body is not going to grow like a flower or seed in the spring.

The family has a memorial service and talks about Scrap’s death. It’s good to talk about things that you are afraid of or don’t understand. That way, you get more information to help you decide what you want to believe.

You will get some ideas to help you create your own understanding about afterlife or the Rainbow World when you read my story. Don’t worry, it has a happy ending. If you want to read it, let Barbara or Frankie know and she will email a link to you or your parent. You may read more about each of the stories on my Web site: http://thesidseries.com./

I have learned a lot from children. So, I’d like to ask you some questions. You can answer them by leaving a comment below.

What does it mean to be dead?
Where do you think Scrap’s soul went when she died?
What do you think happened to Scrap’s body when she was buried in the ground?
Have you ever seen a person or an animal that is dead?

Yvonne is available to read her book to your classroom via Skype an Author.

To order your copy of The Sid Series you can visit Amazon. Receive The Sid Series coloring book for free when you order the print copy of the book!!

Thank you, Yvonne, my BFF, for sharing this well written article on the death of a pet. I can personally say that I know when I die my soul will stay here with my mom because I love her so much. She won't be able to pet me anymore or see me, but I will always be in her heart, loving her... and I know when my body is gone, I will one day be reunited with my mom in heaven, or as Yvonne says, "Rainbow World." I believe that we always stay with the ones we love, just in a different form.