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Dear BHS It is such a pleasure to have found you here. I, too, am a Navy Vet and a CTI, My specialty is in Semiotics and as a linguist, much of my work has been examining and exploring non verbal cues for interpretation cross culturally. Recently, I have been researching a semiotic pattern that could assist PTSD as well as hearing impaired individuals by training non traditional dogs (smaller dogs) to respond to repeated sound patterns and serve as the subjects' ears. By involving the subject (who may be a PTSD vet or a brain injured patient) in the training process), this interaction challenges the individual to bond with the service animal; It allows the rehabilitation trainer to observe the challenges that the partnership will face as well as provides all parties a chance to set and meet reachable, obtainable goals that contribute to the healing of mind body and soul. So much of the study of body language has been used and dedicated by marketers for advertising, for mass media, for profiling and now, there is talk of implementing the method for airport security. We forget that the expression of the body begins with the simple act of breathing and silence. To observe in reverence without judgement rather in openmindedness of what is manifested before you. Too often do we project our own limitation, experiences, even prejudices. When we introduce an animal who does not see a person for the color of their skin or their political affiliation or their limitations, things become quite clear. The New York City School system had spent millions of dollars, as had other school systems across the U.S., to help students with learning disabilities improve test scores. One teacher at a school was allowed to experiment using carefully screened dogs. The children's parents and the children were screened, of course for allergiies and other technicalities. Once all the meta data was cleared, the task was simple: One group adhered to the protocol of the special education guidelines. The group with the dogs in the classrooms were given time to bond with the animal. They were not "special ed . students." they were just kids with dogs who were not judging them. Then, they were asked to get into groups and "read to the dogs." The students were reading away. They could have read all day long to the mixed breeds and the Ladoradors, and the terriers who all seemed soothed by the voices of the children taking turns in an unusually orderly fashion! An otherwise chaotic classroom became a center of purpose and actualization! The teachers relaxed. The young children were calmer and the petting was soothing for both child and animal. Such a program, as you can imagine would be difficult to implement across the nation for liability and other reasons. But in charter schools, in voluntary programs and in selected venues it would be a blessing. Becoming conscious of one's intent has become more difficult because we have become an overstimulated nation. We have T.V,. we cannot live without our blackberry and blue tooth attached, we have more that one cell phone. I had no television for years and my firends did not know how I survived. If we speak only when we absolutely have to, we become more appreciative of our words and what we both, say and hear. If we eat only when we are hungry, making a conscious decision to ask ourselves what we are nourishing our bodies with, slowing down enough to show respect and reverence for the nourishment and those who labored the soil to produce it,, and if indeed, we are greatful, then surely we have the time to show our respect by ingesting our nourishment sitting, respectfully, consciously. It is my belief that this purposeful thought and behavior alone would eliminate the plague of obesity in America and help us to make better choices about what we use to fuel our minds as well as our bodies. As we live our dreams, we begin with the first step. That first step is to understand where we have been, If we are to fulfill our true purpose, we must know how to follow the steps in silence. like a quiet dance. Thank you for your contribution and I hope that you will correspond your thoughts with me. -M
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