A curriculum inspired by the unconditional love of dogs, and grounded in child behavioral science
We believe in creating supportive environments that nurture confidence and growth.
Promoting social and emotional wellness in a fun, nonjudgmental environment—our adaptable curriculum was developed by CIC founder, Danielle Graczyk, and behavior analyst Beth Child. It focuses on developing self-esteem, confidence, self-awareness, self-regulation, and demonstrating the dynamics of teamwork, and the value of clear communication and establishing healthy boundaries.
Past & Present Partners
Minneapolis Public Schools
Face to Face Academy
Avalon School
District 916
Union Gospel Mission
Columbia Heights Public Schools
Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy
Girls Rise Up
St. Paul Public Schools
Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center
Hopkins Transition Plus
Minnesota Jewish Community Center
Customizable Group Courses
A typical group program runs weekly for 6–12 weeks and serves a maximum of 10 students paired with up to five dog therapy teams. Courses focus on teamwork and agility training to create a trusting environment, and sessions end with a student partner performance that instills confidence and accomplishment. A fully funded 10–week session is $5,000. Full and partial scholarships are available.
One-on-One Sessions
Starting with a referring specialist, we can arrange to be on-site for one-on-one therapy sessions specifically tailored for individual students. Sessions typically run 20–30 minutes once a week for as many weeks as your student needs, and can match training activities to academic goals or personal needs, such as relaxation techniques. The final week includes a classroom visit where students get to shine by introducing their dog, answering questions and showing their peers some tricks. Contact us for pricing.
Community Partners & Organizations
CIC Therapy Dogs and volunteers can come to you or host your group in our 1300 square foot community education center in St Paul, MN. Whether you’re a fellow nonprofit, looking for a unique team-building opportunity, or seeking ways to integrate kindness and compassion into your group’s shared experience, CIC can create a workshop or event to support your team.
Let’s work together!
Whether you’re at a school, nonprofit, large corporation, or seeking a fun, dog-filled event, CIC wants to work with you!
Unleash Your Students’ Potential
who we serve
We work with a wide range of students, including but not limited to young people with autism, emotional behavioral disorders, Down syndrome and traumatic brain injuries. We also work with youth affected by gang influence, youth experiencing housing instability, youth who have witnessed and experienced violence and sexually exploited youth.
how we can support
It starts with a conversation about what your organization or school needs and how we can adapt our curriculum for your students’ challenges. If our program is a good fit, a CIC specialist will come to your facility to plan how we can implement a fresh way of encouraging growth and learning.
see how it works
Get a more in-depth look into our curriculum and areas of focus. See how we measure student progress with pre- and post-session evaluations.