More than doggy day care

On July 1, Prophetess Hayden, a devoted educator, launched Canines on the Prairie Preschool and the Summer Canine Leadership Academy at Peaceful Rest Ranch in Weatherford. 

Inspired by her husband’s relationship with his dog, Bayah, through his Alzheimer’s journey, and by her experience as a lifelong educator, she developed the preschool and academy — creating a place where canines and students learn from one another.  

In the program, students step into the role of teacher, while canines become the student. By following a structured schedule with a high volume of activities, the dogs get to burn off excess energy, learn through cognitive and enriching exercises, socialize, build confidence, and play while student teachers practice “responsibility, leadership, communication, teamwork, animal stewardship, observation skills, and problem-solving,” said Hayden. 

Student leaders from grades fourth through 12th are partnered with canines for a half-day preschool experience. The students can bring their own dog, or they are partnered with a dog that’s been dropped off. Dogs with primary education beginning at home, who are ready for a learning environment, are invited to join the preschool. 

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., canines are guided through a day of enrichment activities, enjoying water time, learning centers, obstacle courses, prairie walks, brain games, and play time. Hayden’s goal is to create an atmosphere where the dog seeks stimulation cognitively now, she said. In hopes that they can “commandeer these skills, go to another environment that has a disconnect from the learning institution and still regurgitate that… and reuse or repurpose or independently on your own do this at home.”

Hayden says the most rewarding part of creating this program is “watching the fruit of my labor” come to life through changed dog behavior or “watching the students grow and develop into strong leaders.” 

“For instance, we had young ladies out here, and dogs, and the first thing this young lady says is, ‘I’m not good at this. I can’t do this,’… she was just low self-esteem,” said Hayden. But we encouraged her, “And by the end we no longer had to give any guidance.” 

“To watch that young lady go from almost a meltdown to complete confidence in under one hour… It was so wonderful.”

The “first-of-its-kind ranch-based educational program,” Canines on the Prairie Preschool and the Summer Canine Leadership Academy is more than just a doggy day care or chance for kids to get out of the house this summer, it creates healthy habits that can be taken into daily life for both canine and student leader. 

Sign up or learn more at Canines on the Prairie Preschool at Peaceful Rest Ranch on Facebook.