Insightful Player Pet Therapy Programs for Kids, featuring Kylie, a Certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
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School and Community Visits with Kylie
Kylie is one of many rescue dogs who have overcome tremendous obstacles, much like the Insightful Players. We will share her story to inspire kids to embrace kindness, overcome obstacles, build confidence, and believe in their dreams. She melts kids’ hearts with her very loving nature and entertains them by performing her many tricks. Down the road, we will be adding more Certified Therapy dogs to our team.
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Reading Support Program with Kylie: TDI’s “Tail Waggin Tutors”
Kids who are struggling with reading love practicing their reading with Kylie! The program provides a relaxed and “dog-friendly” atmosphere that allows students to practice the skill of reading. Many of the children chosen for this program have difficulties reading and as a result, have developed self-esteem issues. They are often self-conscious when reading aloud in front of other classmates.
By sitting down next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading. Reading improves because the child is practicing the skill of reading, building self-esteem, and associating reading with something pleasant.
Tackling Life: How Faith, Family, Friends, and Fortitude Kept an NFL Linebacker in the Game
by Kevin Reilly
Kevin Reilly was living a charmed life. He had fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL, for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Then, a rare tumor in his shoulder had him undergo a radical amputation and put an end to his professional football career. Ultimately, the foundation of faith, family, friends, and fortitude developed during his childhood and athletic development helped sustain Kevin through the crushing end to his dreams, the battle to live, and his long-running recovery.
You will laugh, cry, and be inspired by Kevin’s deep faith and incredible resilience. While football fans will certainly enjoy the ride, this book is mainly about life and overcoming the challenges that most of us face at one time or another.
Piece it, Together by Kyle Arrington
"Individually, you can go fast; but together, we can go far.”
That is the premise and inspiration behind Piece it, Together! We all want to be the best versions of ourselves. However, we sometimes forget, that in order to accomplish that goal, we need each other. Everyone can be successful in their own right. This much is true. But when we work together, especially towards a common goal, we become something else. We become powerful beyond measure. At the heart of this project, Piece it, Together! is a timely tale that encourages teamwork, togetherness, and unity. In order to get to a better tomorrow, we must lay the foundation today.
“The me that needs to be” by Ken Harvey
Learn about financial literacy with Former NFL All-Star football player, Ken Harvey. In this book, Ken travels back in time to help his younger self learn about how to budget his money and the importance of learning how to SAVE, SPEND, and GIVE.
“This book will help start conversations and plant a seed in the financial education of our future athletes and leaders.”-Ken Harvey
Centered: Trading Your Plans for a Life That Matters by Jason Brown
This riveting story of a top-earning NFL center and his family who walked away from it all to follow God's call to alleviate hunger as farmers—a life they knew absolutely nothing about—illustrates the sacrifice and ultimate reward of obedience to our heavenly Father even when it doesn't make earthly sense.
“A remarkable story where family, deep self-reflection, and an unshakable belief in a path predestined by God triumph over fortune and comfort.”
—John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens
NFL lineman Jason Brown had everything in the world. He was the highest-paid center in the game. He lived in luxury. Millions of people saw and admired him every week. Then in 2012, Jason heard a call from God that changed everything.
Leaving behind an incredibly successful football career that paid millions, Jason turned toward a life he knew nothing about: farming. It was only the beginning of his journey. Through third-party mismanagement and a run of bad luck, Jason lost most of the money he’d saved from his NFL days—the same money he’d planned to use to start his new career and donate fresh produce to hungry kids. Only a miracle could save Jason’s new dream.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Centered is an inspiring riches-to-rags-to-true-riches story of one man willing to risk it all for the sake of his family. For the sake of loving others. For the sake of seeking God’s dreams first—and reminding each of us to do the same.
Rocky's Rules: A Playbook for Becoming Your Best in Challenging Times by Rocky Boiman
The one common responsibility all of us have every single day is to become the best version of ourselves as possible. We do this to ensure that we live a valuable, fulfilled, and meaningful life, and also to guarantee that we are contributing to the harmony of the world we live in. In order to do that, it is helpful to have a set of core beliefs on how to live responsibly and make it through the challenging times that all of us will face. Through Rocky Boiman's experiences in football, particularly the no-nonsense world of the NFL, he developed these rules or essential behaviors that he feels are critical to living the meaningful life that we all seek.
Heart of a Student-Athlete: All-Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families
by Karl Mecklenburg
Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient in the inspiration/motivation category
The game of football teaches lessons that are as applicable on the playing field as they are in the classroom, workplace, and in our relationships with those around us. In Heart of a Student-Athlete, Karl Mecklenburg—former all-pro captain of the Denver Broncos—offers young athletes and their families inspirational advice about how to dream, achieve, and overcome obstacles on their way to success. Mecklenburg’s candid, anecdotal counsel will motivate student athletes to aim high, work hard, and avoid the numerous challenges that they may face—including pressure to perform in the game, emphasis on sport over study, and the temptation of illegal drugs.
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In addition to sharing the incredible story of his unlikely rise from amateur athlete to Super Bowl Championship competitor, Mecklenburg outlines his template for success and reveals its six key components: teamwork, courage, honesty and forgiveness, desire, dedication, and goal setting. Accessible and brimming with enthusiasm, Heart of a Student Athlete explains these keys and empowers athletes, parents, and coaches with the tools they need to achieve success and foster it in the young athletes in their lives.
“Good Girl Pearl” by Margo Malowney
Canadian Olympian Margo Malowney has fostered dogs for many years. A fateful meeting with a special senior dog through Mattie’s Place Pet Rescue and Recovery Center ultimately led her to write her first book.
Good Girl Pearl tells the story of a sweet older dog who finds herself in a shelter, and a kind and wise little boy who adopts her. Ninety per cent of the book’s net after-tax proceeds will go to the non-profit rescue center, Mattie’s Place to help provide medical care, foster and adoption support as well as education and advocacy. 5% will cover the development costs of the book, and 5% will go to my illustrator to help with her education.
About Mattie’s Place
Mattie’s Place is a rescue and recovery center for pets in need.
Most animals come into the care of Mattie’s Place with urgent medical needs and would otherwise have faced euthanasia.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Mattie’s Place partners with shelters & rescues across Canada and in the U.S. to maximize efforts for pets in dire need. Read More About Margo HERE.
