skype an author

Teacher Testimonials for Skype Visits with Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie and I are having so much fun visiting classrooms via the technology of Skype.  Some schools have their own video conferencing and that has worked out just as well.  If you are thinking about bringing us into your school with the help of the Internet, please check out what these teachers had to say about the experience.  For more information visit our special teacher section on our website.  We would love to meet you and your students!

Students at my school in Canada used Skype to connect via the Internet with Barbara and Frankie who live in Wisconsin. The students were so excited and amazed at the experience. It seemed as if Frankie and Barbara were sitting right in their classroom!

The students were able to interact with Frankie and Barbara. They asked many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and how to stay positive no matter what challenges they might face. The Skype has been their favorite part of the school year! ~Karen Keys, Teacher Librarian Canada

I was apprehensive about the vist, but it was tremendous. I wondered if 500+ children would be able to attend to the screen and realize they were having a conversation with an author. You did it! They stayed on task for the entire visit. The variety of activity–your talking, the Powerpoint, the video and Frankie’s presence all worked together to keep them engaged. Thank you– you made me look good! ~Kathy Howell, library media specialist, Clarksville Primary School, Arkansas

The students had such a great time during their webcam visit with Mrs. Techel and Frankie. They were even more inspiring in person. Mrs. Techel had Frankie right there with her during our web cam visit. Frankie even fell asleep on her desk. She showed the class how Frankie got in and out of her wheelchair, explained how she cared for Frankie, gave us a first hand view of her writing studio, and explained the writing process from the gathering of ideas, to the editing, and the publishing stages. ~Karen Elz, 3rd grade elementary teacher, Shiloh Point Elementary School, Georgia

Through the magic of technology we were able to host Barb & Frankie for an in-class(ish) presentation via Skype. Barb was able to take the kids through the notion of overcoming challenges, making a difference in the lives of others, and facing hardship in a positive, life-changing way. They were CAPTIVATED which is a pretty big deal for six-year-olds. ~Ben Bordeau, Who’s Your Dachshund blogger and Jason Wade, 1st grade teacher, Bicentennial School, Canada

Our visit with you and Frankie was fabulous! The children couldn’t stop talking about it. Not only did you make Frankie’s story come alive for these students, you were able to make writing more real. Not one of these students have ever met an author, much less had a visit with one. I believe they received your message and also came away with a better understanding of what writing really is. ~Susan Ownens, special education teacher, Cheatham Park Elementary, Springfield, TN

Invite Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog & Her Author Mom to Your Classroom or Library Via Skype- No Cost!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Special Announcement:

Award-winning children’s book author Barbara Techel and her dog Frankie who is well known as the Walk ‘N Roll Dog because she gets along in a doggie wheelchair are offering free Skype programs (see details below) to the first 10 teachers or librarians that contact them.  Frankie is the star of her own books, Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog and Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.  Both books are true, inspirational stories about overcoming challenges by thinking positive and giving back to the world in our own, unique way despite our challenges.

Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Trailer

Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House Book Trailer

Enjoy a program where children can virtually meet Frankie via the technology of Skype, learn about disabilities, help students overcome their own challenges in a positive way, see a demonstration of how Frankie’s wheelchair works and how she can “fly” in her wheels, as well as hear a selected reading of Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book.  Overall you and your students or patrons will have a dog-gone good time meeting and learning about Frankie and her mission to bring a positive face and voice to all animals with disabilities, and encourage others who also have challenges.  To learn more, visit Barbara and Frankie on their author visits link on their website at or Skype an author.

We are offering 10 free presentations via Skype (one Skype presentation per school or library), first come, first serve and this is for a limited time and expires March 31st, 2010.  If you are interested please contact us via email at joyfulpaws@yahoo.com  Please feel free to share this information with the teachers and librarians in your life!

Testimonial

Students at my school in Canada used Skype to connect via the Internet with Barbara and Frankie who live in  Wisconsin. The students were so excited and were amazed at the experience.  It seemed as if Frankie and Barbara were sitting right in their classroom!   The students were able to interact with Frankie and Barbara and asked and answered many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and how to stay postive no matter what challenges they might face.  The Skype has been their favorite part of the school year!

~Karen Keys, Teacher Librarian Canada

Announcing Release of Second Book in Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Series!

Posted by Barbara Techel

 Author Releases Second Book to Inspire Children and Seniors Who Have Special Needs or Disabilities

Author Barbara Techel and her 10-year-old daschund announce the release of their second book, Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.

We all face challenges in life, but dealing them is much easier when there’s support and understanding from significant others—even animals. Frankie is a dachshund who is paralyzed in her hind quarters as a result of an injury. But, she does not allow her physical challenges to limit her purpose or her gift of healing to others. Custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair (dog cart), Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog uses her disability to bring a message of hope and encouragement to young and old.

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House is a true story told from a therapy dog’s viewpoint. This, the second book in the series, tells how Frankie became a registered therapy dog and gives several personal accounts of her visits to the residents of Libby’s House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia www.libbyshouse.com.

Frankie’s human mom and the book’s author, Barbara Techel, hoped for years to have a therapy dog and share the love that only a dog can bring. She wanted the dog to visit people who may not have animal contact on a regular basis.

“When Frankie was fitted for a doggie wheelchair, I wrote the first book and started taking her to local schools to entertain children,” says Barbara. “I realized Frankie would make a great therapy dog for adults as well as children. The fact that she is in a wheelchair makes her a bit more unique as she helps people in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice identify on a deeper level. She has a challenge like many of them.”

Visiting Libby’s House once a month opened Barbara’s heart and eyes to realizing that people may not always understand what the elderly are going through, and all they want is someone to listen and spend time with them.

“I especially want children to not fear seniors who face the challenges brought on by aging,” says Ms. Techel. “I hope to encourage children to spend and cherish time with their own grandparents. I hope children will realize the beauty and wisdom in the elderly.”

“All one needs to do is see the expression in the eyes of those Frankie touches to know she is tangible love,” says Christine Thill, owner and RN administrator of Libby’s Housewhere Frankie volunteers. “When the body fails, the spirit soars! Frankie’s visits along with Barb’s gentle nature are a true blessing to Libby’s House.”

Because she is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities through her therapy dog work, Frankie was awarded the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame Companion and is the official mascot for National Disabled Pets Day. This little dog teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most—love.

Through Frankie’s example, Barbara hopes to encourage anyone facing a challenge.

Having a disability does not mean we don’t have gifts to offer. Each of us can give back to the world in our own, unique way. Frankie’s volunteer work is a great way to prompt others to get involved in their own communities and find a way to be of service. Barbara says the rewards are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Even though she and Frankie visit Libby’s House once a month, Barbara still enjoys sharing with children the messages in her books. In fact, she has found a new way to share Frankie’s story via Skype an Author Network whose mission is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual classroom visits. See

http://tinyurl.com/SkypeBarbara to learn more.

Children are invited to follow Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog’s adventures on Frankie’s Blog: http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com/. Adults will find more information about caring for special needs animals on Barbara’s blog at http://www.joyfulpaws.com/.

You can order your copy today at our website or Amazon!

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Contact: Barbara Techel

Phone: 920-377-1749

E-mail: barbtechel (at) verizon.net

Web site: http://www.joyfulpaws.com/