♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE STATE IS LOOKING FOR AN IMMEDIATE TAKEOVER OF A TROUBLED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY IN MESA.

>>> WE'LL HEAR ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN COMPOSERS APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT.

AND HOW THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF ANIMALS CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS.

FALLOUT FROM KARI LAKE'S DECISION EARLIER THIS WEEK TO CONCEDE THE DEFAMATION SUIT FILED AGAINST HER BY MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY STEPHEN RICHER.

THE JUDGE IN THE CASE CALLED FOR ATTORNEYS ON BOTH SIDES TO FIGURE OUT A SCHEDULE FOR DAMAGES-RELATED DISCOVERY AND MEDIATION.

THE JUDGE SAID LAKE LOST ALL RIGHTS TO LITIGATE THE MERITS OF THE CASE WHEN SHE FORFEITED THE ABILITY TO DEFEND HERSELF IN COURT.

EVIDENCE TO BACK UP HER CLAIMS THAT RICHER SABOTAGED THE 2022 ELECTION.

SOME OF THAT EVIDENCE MAY STILL HAVE TO BE TURNED OVER TO RICHER'S ATTORNEYS AND COULD BE USED AGAINST LAKE IN DETERMINING DAMAGES SHE WILL HAVE TO PAY.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED IT'S CURTAILING SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION CALLS JUNK INSURANCE AND OFTEN RESULTS IN BIG MEDICAL BILLS FOR PATIENTS.

THE NEW RULES SAY PLANS MUST BE LIMITED TO THREE MONTHS WITH OPTION TO RENEW FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS.

PREVIOUSLY POLICIES LASTED UP TO A YEAR.

NEW RULES OFFER CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN'S DEFENDANT BENEFITS AND SHOW PATIENTS HOW TO FIND MORE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE.

>>> ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES IS SEEKING IMMEDIATE TAKEOVER OF HERITAGE VILLAGE, ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY IN MESA.

NEW OWNERS ENDANGERED VULNERABLE ADULTS AND COMMITTED CONSUMER FRAUD, CLAIMS INITIALLY REPORTED BY "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC."

REPUBLIC INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JOINS US, A VERY BIG ROLE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RESEARCH.

THIS IS A BIG STORY AND THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE STORY.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE A.G.

WANTS TO DO?

>> YEAH, SO KRIS MAYES WANTS TO ESSENTIALLY STRIP THE OWNERS OF HERITAGE VILLAGE OF THEIR OWNERSHIP, IF THE LAWSUIT GOES IN HER FAVOR, ULTIMATELY, THE MADISON REALTY COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO SELL HERITAGE VILLAGE AND OTHER PROPERTIES.

IT ONLIES TWO OTHER FACILITIES, ONE IN APACHE JUNCTION AND ANOTHER IN MESA CALLED VISIONS.

TED: MY IMPRESSION, THERE ARE 20 DEFENDANTS, OWNERS AND MANAGERS AND A COURT APPOINTED RECEIVERSHIP ASPECT OF ALL OF THIS.

GIVE ME A BETTER DEFINITION WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

>> SURE, KRIS MAYES IS SEEKING TO HAVE IMMEDIATE COURT APPOINTED RECEIVERSHIP.

THE COURT WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY WITH HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE WHO IS EXPERIENCED IN TURNING THINGS AROUND, GO IN THERE AND BASICALLY CLEAN HOUSE.

THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT WOULD BE OUT, BEFORE THE LAWSUIT IS OVER.

THE RECEIVER WOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE EXISTING CAREGIVERS COULD STAY OR GO BASED ON CRITERIA.

TED: AND SOME THINK, YEAH, AND PROBABLY GET RID OF THE LICENSE AS WELL.

LICENSING IS INTERESTING, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT NECESSARILY WANT THIS FACILITY TO LOSE ITS LICENSE, TRUE?

>> CORRECT.

SO THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CREATE A LOT OF INSTABILITY FOR THE RESIDENTS.

WHEN A PERSON HAS DEMENTIA, EVERY MOVE IS VERY TRAUMATIZING, AND WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO IS KEEP THE RESIDENTS IN THEIR HOMES THEY'VE LIVED IN FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND JUST GIVE THEM QUALITY CARE.

TED: IS THAT THE REASON WHY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HASN'T PULLED THE LICENSE SO FAR?

SOME OF THE THINGS SEEM PRETTY SERIOUS BUSINESS, IS THAT WHY SOMETHING HASN'T BEEN DONE AS FAR AS LICENSING SO FAR?

>> I'M NOT SURE.

THE STATE DID ATTEMPT TO PULL THE LICENSE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

I THINK KRIS MAYES IS STEPPING IN TO SAY LET'S GIVE QUALITY CARE TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE NOW, RATHER THAN HAVING THEM COMPLETELY DISPLACED.

TED: AND THE RECEIVERSHIP ALLOWS THE RESIDENTS TO REMAIN.

>> UH-HUH.

TED: HERITAGE VILLAGE PLACED MORE CITATIONS THAN ANY OTHER FACILITY IN ARIZONA.

GIVE US A 30,000 FOOT VIEW OF THIS THING?

>> RESIDENT ON RESIDENT INJURIES.

DEATHS.

OUR RESEARCH STARTED BECAUSE WE FOUND AN INCIDENT WHERE A RESIDENT PULLED HER ROOMMATE OUT OF BED AND IT KILLED HER.

AND VERY LITTLE REPERCUSSIONS FOR THAT.

AFTER THAT WOMAN WAS KILLED, THERE WERE 150 CITATIONS OVER THREE YEARS AT THE FACILITY.

MEDICATION ERRORS, DOUBLING PEOPLE'S MEDICINE.

LEAVING THE DOORS OPEN TO CLEANING ROOMS THAT HAVE TOXIC AGENTS IN THEM FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEMENTIA AND WANDER AROUND.

UNTRAINED CAREGIVERS.

THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

TED: AND THE PEOPLE, THE VICTIMS I GUESS WE CALL THEM VICTIMS, MOSTLY WITH DEMENTIA?

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HAD DEMENTIA, BUT THEY DO MARKET MEMORY CARE SERVICES AT HERITAGE VILLAGE.

TED: YEAH.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES THIS ACTION, WHY DID SHE TAKE THE ACTION.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THINGS WEREN'T MOVING FAST ENOUGH WITH HERITAGE VILLAGE, TRUE?

>> TRUE.

EVEN AFTER OUR STORY RAN THAT REPORTED 150 CITATIONS OVER THREE YEARS AND CREATED A BIG SPLASH AND KATIE HOBBS SAID WE NEED AN INVESTIGATION, EVEN AFTER THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT TOLD ME THEY WERE CLEANING IT UP AND HIRING A NEW -- NEW PEOPLE AND TURNING THINGS AROUND, EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT, THE STATE FOUND SOMEWHERE AROUND 50 MORE CITATIONS THAT WERE BAD, SOMEBODY -- SOME PEOPLE WEREN'T GIVEN MEDICINE FOR A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

SOME HAD MEDICINES DOUBLED.

THEY LEFT THE PLACE EXPOSED FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WALK OUT IF THEY FELT LIKE IT, THERE WERE DOORS THAT WEREN'T LOCKED AND CLOSED.

THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

TED: WOULD THE FACILITY MANAGERS, OWNERS, WERE THEY INCAPABLE OR UNWILLING TO FIX THINGS, OR CAN YOU TELL YET?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

TED: YEAH, IT TAKES A LITTLE OPINION IN THERE.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY DIDN'T GET IT DONE.

>> THEY DID NOT.

THEY ALSO, IN ADDITION TO THAT, KRIS MAYES FOUND IN HER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE FACILITY WAS TAKING IN AND RETAINING RESIDENTS THAT ARE BOUND TO THEIR BEDS.

THEY CAN'T WALK WITHOUT HELPING.

THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT SAYS IF YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE OF WALKING ON YOUR OWN OR EVEN WITH HELP, AS AN ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY.

IF YOU TAKE A RESIDENT LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A NOTE FROM THE DOCTOR SAYING IT'S OKAY FOR THEM TO LIVE THERE.

OTHERWISE THE FACILITY DOESN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

TED: RIGHT.

>> KRIS MAYES FOUND A BUNCH OF RESIDENTS LIVING THERE THAT COULDN'T WALK EVEN WITH HELP AND WASN'T THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION SAYING THEIR DOCTORS SIGNED OFF ON IT.

TED: SPEAKING OF DOCUMENTATION, SOUNDS LIKE THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN COVER-UPS INVOLVING DOCUMENTATION HERE?

>> RIGHT, KRIS MAYES FOUND THAT WHEN SHE ASKED FOR DOCUMENTS, SHE WAS GETTING DOCUMENTS BACK THAT WERE DATED AFTER THE TIME IN WHICH SHE ASKED FOR THEM.

TED: SO SHE WASN'T GETTING WHAT SHE WAS ASKING FOR.

>> GETTING DOCUMENTS THAT SEEMED TO BE PRODUCED AFTER SHE ASKED FOR THEM.

TED: I THINK AS WELL, I READ ABOUT BOGUS POSITIVE REVIEWS ON A WEBSITE.

SOMETHING ALONG THAT?

>> YES, WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE RELATED TO THE BUSINESS.

TED: YEAH, THAT DOESN'T SOUND VERY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT, WE GOT THE LEGISLATION THERE, WANT TO GET RECEIVERSHIP, WANT TO GET SOMETHING GOING HERE, WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATION IS BOUNCING AROUND OUT THERE, ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE?

>> RIGHT, SO YEAH, KRIS MAYES' ACTION AFFECTS HERITAGE VILLAGE, BUT THE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO WORK ON A BILL THAT WOULD AFFECT ALL OF ASSISTED LIVING.

SO TIM DUNN SPONSORED A BILL THAT SOARED THROUGH THE HOUSE WITH FLYING COLORS, WENT THROUGH THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE RECENTLY.

ESSENTIALLY WHAT IT WOULD DO, IF IT GETS APPROVED BY THE SENATE, IS IT WOULD CREATE ADHS WOULD HAVE TO CREATE STANDARDS FOR MEMORY CARE, RIGHT NOW IT'S A MARKETING TERM.

DIRECT CARE WORKERS, PEOPLE WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MOST NEEDS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE DEMENTIA TRAINING BECAUSE IT'S LACKING IN THAT.

ALSO FACILITIES WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HIRE OR RETAIN PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE APS' ABUSE REGISTRY, RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO RULE SAYING THEY CAN'T HIRE THESE PEOPLE, AND THE FINES WOULD INCREASE FOR PROBLEMS.

RIGHT NOW THE CAP IS $500 PER DAY, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, LIKE SOMEBODY'S MEDICATION IS DOUBLED.

THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW DHS TO LEVY FINES $1,000 PER RESIDENT PER DAY.

TED: INTERESTING, TIM DUNN DREW THIS BILL.

WASN'T THERE ANOTHER ONE?

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THERE WAS.

THAT BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOWED RESIDENTS TO HAVE CAMERAS IN THEIR ROOMS IF THEY SIGNED OFF ON THEM OR FAMILIES SIGNED OFF ON THEM, AS LONG AS THE ROOMMATE SIGNED OFF ON THEM.

IT ALSO WOULD HAVE REQUIRED FACILITIES TO REPORT RESIDENT ON RESIDENT HARM TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPORT THAT.

THAT BILL WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THAT REPORTING AND IT SOARED THROUGH THE HOUSE, IT GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT, BUT T.J. SHOPE DID NOT PUT IT ON THE AGENDA IN HIS COMMITTEE.

TED: DO WE KNOW WHY?

>> HE WOULDN'T TELL US WHY.

TED: IS IT THE SAME THING WITH THE LATEST LEGISLATION, DOWN THE SAME PIKE?

>> NO, BECAUSE IT GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT IN SHOPE'S COMMITTEE.

SHOPE HEARD DUNN'S BILL, CHOSE NOT TO HEAR THE OTHER BILL.

TED: LAST QUESTION, WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR HERE?

THE RECEIVERSHIP, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE RECEIVERSHIP TO HAPPEN SHOULD IT HAPPEN?

>> THE JUDGE COULD RULE ON THAT ANY TIME IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND THEN IT WOULD PRETTY MUCH JUST BE WHEN THEY GO IN THERE AND CLEAN HOUSE.

TED: HOLY SMOKES.

>> THE RESIDENTS MIGHT SEE A QUICK TURNAROUND OF BETTER CARE MOVING FORWARD.

TED: HOPEFULLY NOT MUCH DISRUPTION IN THEIR LIVES, CAITLIN McGLADE, THANK YOU FOR REPORTING ON THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

.

TED: LAST SUMMER, THE TEAM FROM CENTRAL SOUND AT ARIZONA PBS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THROUGH NORTHERN ARIZONA WITH THE GRAND CANYON MUSIC FESTIVAL'S NATIVE AMERICAN COMPOSERS APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT.

A MINI DOCUMENTARY ON THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR, HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK.

>> IN 1982, MY HUSBAND ROBERT AND I VISITED THE CANYONS OF NORTHERN ARIZONA.

AND OUR FIRST TRIP WAS TO THE GRAND CANYON, AND WE STARTED ON THE SOUTH RIM AND HIKED TO THE NORTH RIM AND BACK AGAIN.

WE HAD THIS RIM TO RIM.

OUR FIRST DAY DOWN WAS AT THE COLORADO RIVER.

I TOOK MY FOOD OUT AND MY HUSBAND WENT OFF SOMEPLACE ELSE AND PLAYED HIS HARMONICA.

WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THERE WAS A PARK RANGER WHO HEARD OUR MUSIC, AND HE INVITED US TO GO INTO A RANGER'S CABIN LATER THAT EVENING TO PLAY A CONCERT FOR THEM, AND YOU KNOW, AFTER TWO DAYS OF HIKING IN THE GRAND CANYON, YOU'RE LIKE, OKAY.

I GUESS WE'LL PLAY A CONCERT.

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME, AND WHEN WE GOT BACK, WE LOOKED UP THAT RANGER, NAMED JOE, AND SAID TO HIM, HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF HAVING A MUSIC FESTIVAL HERE.

>> SINCE INCEPTION IN 1983, THE GRAND CANYON MUSIC FESTIVAL IS THE SOUTH RIM OF EVERY SUMMER, BEGINNING 2001.

A BRAND-NEW OUTREACH INITIATIVE WAS ADDED TO THE CALENDAR.

NATIVE AMERICAN COMPOSERS APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT.

>> IN 2000, BRENT MICHAEL DAVID, A MEMBER OF THE MOHICAN NATION WROTE A PIECE WITH THE HAVASU GUARDIANS OF THE GRAND CANYON.

WE PREMIERED IT IN 2000 AND HE SAID US TO, HE HAD JUST COME OFF A RESIDENCY.

I THINK HE TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPOSITION AND WANTED TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH NATIVE STUDENTS.

>> THEY HAD AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM RUNG, AND THEY WOULD PERFORM FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NAVAJO AND HOPI CHILDREN.

SO WHAT I SAW WHEN I WAS IN THERE, I WAS IMAGINING MYSELF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KID SEEING AN ASSEMBLY, IT WAS LIKE A MAGIC SHOW, BUT I THOUGHT THERE COULD BE MORE.

>> THE FOLLOWING YEAR 2001, BRENT MICHAEL DAVIDS CAME BACK, I THINK WE HAD FIVE STUDENTS THAT YEAR.

THE QUALITY OF THE MUSIC THAT THE STUDENTS WROTE WAS REALLY SPECTACULAR.

>> FOR ME AS A NATIVE COMPOSURE MYSELF, ROLE MODELLING IS IMPORTANT.

>> THERE AREN'T ENOUGH NATIVE AMERICAN VOICES IN THE AMERICAN MUSIC MIX, AND WE'RE DOING THIS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG NATIVE STUDENTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH MUSIC, TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES IN MUSIC.

>> THE BEST TEACHER US THAT COULD GET FOR -- FOR THE PROGRAM WOULD BE ROLE MODELLING FROM THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

>> I WAS INVITED TO JOIN NACAP IN 2004 AND JOINED JARROD TATE AND OTHERS WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS, AND I WAS REALLY EXCITED BY THIS BECAUSE THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO WHERE I'M FROM, CHINLE, ARIZONA, AND WORK WITH KIDS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO THIS PROGRAM YET.

>> ONE OF OUR TEACHING COMPOSERS, WHO'S BEEN A TEACHING COMPOSER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IS RAVEN CHACON.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW RAVEN, YOU SHOULD, HE'S NAVAJO AND WON THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR MUSIC.

>> EXPANDING THE PROGRAM, THIS WAS STARTING TO BE A PRIVILEGE COULDN'T DO ALONE.

JUST ONE PERSON, AND DRIVING AROUND TO EACH SCHOOL ON THE RESERVATION WAS BECOMING QUITE A TASK.

SOMETIMES DRIVING BETWEEN SCHOOLS IN ONE DAY.

IN EXPANDING THE PROGRAM, I WAS NEEDING MORE ASSISTANCE, AND I HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH MICHAEL BEGAY.

>> THE OTHER TEACHER COMPOSER THIS YEAR IS MICHAEL BEGAY.

IF WE GO BACK TO 2001, THE FIRST YEAR, MICHAEL WAS ONE OF OUR STUDENTS.

>> YEAH, YEAH, MICHAEL BEGAY WAS ONE OF MY FIRST STUDENTS.

HE WON A SECOND YEAR AS WELL, HE DID TWO PIECES WITH ME JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR.

>> THE VERY FIRST TIME I DID THIS NACAP WAS IN 2001, THAT WAS WITH ONE OF THE FOUNDING COMPOSERS, BRENT MICHAEL DAVIDS, A MOHICAN AND WORKED WITH JARROD TATE, THE CHICKASAW COMPOSER.

AFTER J.D.

TATE, I WORKED WITH DAVID MALMUD FROM NEW YORK CITY, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH RAVEN CHACON FOREVER NOW, HE'S LIKE A BROTHER TO ME NOW.

>> NACAP HAS A RESIDENT ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM PRESENTATIONS, THE LONGEST IS THE QUARTET WHICH JOINED IN 2011.

>> TO LEARN THE TECHNIQUES OF COMPOSING, YOU HAVE TO HEAR EVERYTHING LIVE.

>> EVERY YEAR WE HAVE THE COMPOSERS TEACH THE STUDENTS COMPOSITIONS AND LOT OF OTHER GROUPS AS WELL.

>> A LOT OF THE STUDENTS ARE GUITARISTS, APPLYING THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO THE STRING INSTRUMENTS IS SOMETHING THEY CAN UNDERSTAND.

>> LIKE A CROSS CULTURAL THING, TOO.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS HEAVY METAL IS POPULAR ON THE RESERVATIONS, AT LEAST WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS, PLAYING GUITAR.

IT'S AWESOME.

THAT ENRICHES OUR MUSICAL VOCABULARY WHEN WE PLAY THEIR MUSIC.

THAT'S HOW THEY FEEL MUSIC, HOW THEY LEARNED MUSIC.

>> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER KIND OF PROGRAM LIKE THIS, AND, YOU KNOW, IN A TIME WHERE MUSIC EDUCATION IS NOT BEING PRIORITIZED, AND SCHOOLS ARE SORT OF LIMITING THE ARTISTIC ACCESS THAT KIDS HAVE, I THINK THAT IT'S -- SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S KEEPING THAT ARTISTIC ACCESS OPEN.

>> THIS PROGRAM FOR ME, THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I DO IN MY WORK, AND IT'S SOMETHING I HOPE I CAN DO THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE CAREER AND LIFE.

THERE'S SO MANY STUDENTS THAT HAVE JUST -- THERE'S SO MANY STUDENTS THAT NOT ONLY HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THE PROGRAM, BUT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT'S ON THEIR MINDS.

WHAT IS INSIDE OF THEM, AND SHARE THAT WITH THE BROADER PUBLIC.

>> IT'S ALSO LIKE HOW TO RELEASE YOURSELF TO BE CREATIVE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES WHERE PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO BE CREATIVE OR TO BE BOLD, TOO.

THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO EXPLAIN TO THEM, YOUR STORIES ARE IMPORTANT.

TED: FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, VISIT GRANDCANYONMUSICFEST.ORG.

♪ .

TED: PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS, AND THAT'S P-A-W-S, PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BY PROVIDING ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY SUPPORT.

TOSHA THARP-GAITANIS IS FOUNDER AND CEO OF PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS.

SHE JOINS US NOW ALONG WITH THERAPY DOG JACQUE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> JACQUE, THANKS FOR SHOWING UP.

THAT IS YOUR DOG, ISN'T IT?

>> HE IS MY DOG.

THIS IS MY BABY.

TED: YEAH, YOUR THERAPY -- GIVE ME A BETTER DEFINITION OF PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS?

>> PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

CHILDREN FROM 18 MONTHS UP THROUGH ADULTHOOD, AND WE GO INTO SCHOOLS, ADULT DAY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AUTISM AND BRING ADAPTIVE ACTIVITIES INTO THE SCHOOLS, SUPPORTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE ANIMALS TO HELP SUPPORT THE INDIVIDUALS START TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THEIR FINE MOTOR SKILLS, SPEECH, COMMUNICATION, FOLLOWING DIRECTION, ALL MOTIVATED BY THE CUTE FURRY ONES.

TED: YEAH, YEAH, AND FOR KIDS WHO MAY NOT BE RESPONDING TO THERAPY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

A LOT OF TIMES, THEY DON'T, IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE HUMAN INTERACTION, RIGHT, IF A TEACHER ASKS TO YOU DO SOMETHING, A LOT OF TIMES THE TEACHER MIGHT HAVE YOU DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE IT MIGHT NOT BE EXPECTED ANSWER.

MORE, MORE, PET ME MORE.

BUT A DOG ISN'T GOING TO CORRECT YOU, ISN'T GOING TO TELL YOU LET'S TRY AGAIN.

WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT -- YOU DON'T HAVE THE JUDGMENT, THEY'RE NOT JUDGING YOU, THERE IS THE UNCONDITIONAL, NONJUDGMENTAL.

TED: YOU FOUNDED THE PROGRAM IN 2014 WITH YOUR SON IN MIND AND ANOTHER FRENCH BULLDOG, HOW DID THAT WORK OUT?

>> IN 2012, MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AND WASN'T MAKING PROGRESS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.

I INCORPORATED, I HAD ANOTHER FRENCH BULLDOG ZOEY, I HAD JACQUE, HE WAS A PUPPY AND WASN'T AS WELL BEHAVED.

ZOE WAS NOT ALWAYS WITH ME.

I COULDN'T GET MY SON TO COOPERATE AND DO EXERCISES, I SAID IF ZOE DID, IT WOULD YOU DO IT?

ONCE I INCORPORATED ZOE INTO THE EXERCISES, COMPLIANCE COMPLETELY CHANGED.

TED: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

ANIMAL THERAPY AND THERAPY DOGS, WE KNOW ABOUT THEM, IN A SITUATION WITH KIDS ON THE SPECTRUM AND THESE FOLK, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CONNECTION IS?

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> THEY'RE NOT FOCUSING ON -- THEY'RE FOCUSING ON THE DOG, NO LONGER FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY CAN OR CAN'T DO BECAUSE MY SON WAS VERY HIGH FUNCTIONING, SO HE COULD COMMUNICATE TO US, BUT HE WASN'T BE ABLE TO SAY, I CAN'T DO THAT, IT'S DIFFICULT.

TED: YES.

>> BUT IF HE WASN'T FOCUSED ON DOING THE TASK BUT FOCUSING ON ENGAGING WITH THE DOG, HE WOULD TRY THE TASK AND DO THE TASK, AND HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL, LOTS OF PRAISE, AND THEN HE WOULD WANT TO DO THE ACTIVITIES AGAIN.

TED: I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD HELP WITH THINGS LIKE SELF-ESTEEM?

>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

TED: WITHOUT THEM REALIZING THE SELF-ESTEEM HAS IMPROVED.

>> EXACTLY.

AS THEY'RE DOING EXERCISES, IT HELPS THEM BUILD THE CONFIDENCE, AS WE'RE DOING IT IN THE SCHOOLS, THE PARENTS ARE SEEING THAT ROLL OVER INTO HOME BECAUSE THEY'RE BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE IN THE SCHOOLS WITH THE HELP OF THE ANIMALS AND ROLLING THAT OVER INTO THE HOME.

TED: HOW DO YOU WORK WITH SCHOOLS?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> THE SCHOOLS CONTACT US, THEY HAVE A SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THEY CONTACT US, WE COME IN AND DO AN ASSESSMENT, FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE SCHOOL LOOKING FOR, WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE STUDENT?

AND COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR ACTIVITIES, WHAT DO WE WANT TO FOCUS ON?

AND COME IN ON A WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS WITH VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND VARIETY OF ANIMALS INTO THE -- START WORKING WITH THE KIDS.

>> IT WORKS WITH THE PET, OBVIOUSLY A FAMILY -- DIFFERENTIATE A FAMILIET AND ANIMAL THAT A KID SEES ONCE A WEEK AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> THE KIDS WE WORK WITH, THEY HAVE FAMILY PETS, SO SOMETIMES THEY MAY BE FRIENDLY WITH THE FAMILY PET.

SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FAMILY PET.

WHEN THEY COME INTO SCHOOL, AND WE'RE BRINGING OUR THERAPY DOGS OR MINI HORSES OR PIGS OR WHATEVER IT IS INTO THE CLASSROOM, NOW IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SETTING.

MAYBE THE DOG AT HOME IS A BIG GERMAN SHEPARD, AND WE BRING IN A FRENCH BULLDOG, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT LOOK.

MAYBE IT'S LESS INTIMIDATING, FRIENDLIER.

I THINK THE SETTING HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THAT, HOME VERSUS SCHOOL, AND THEN WE'VE ALSO HAD PARENTS TELL US THAT, YOU KNOW, MY KID WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOG UNTIL THEY STARTED PARTICIPATING IN ANIMAL THERAPY, AND NOW MY KID IS NICE TO THE DOG AT HOME.

THEY WANT TO ENGAGE WITH THE DOG AT HOME.

YOU HAVE THE ROLLOVER BEHAVIORS FROM WHAT WE DO INTO THE HOME.

TED: IT'S A WIN-WIN ALL AROUND.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TED: FOR MORE INFORMATION, WHERE DO PEOPLE GO?

>> PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS.ORG.

TED: THAT'S P-A-W-S. >> YES.

TED: JACQUE, YOU STOLE THE SHOW THERE, BIG FELLA.

THAT IS A GOOD DOG.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS AND CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

TED: THAT'S IT FOR NOW, I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.