Thank you to everyone that replied to my inquiry about using Therapy dogs for
reading programs in the library. There are some really great programs all over the
country. I am in the process of interviewing dog handlers now. I'll let you know
how our program goes. Here are some great links and ideas that people shared
with me:
*************************************************************************************************************************************
My dog and I started a program at our local rural library with great
success!! Here are a few sites but there is a group in Chicago with studies
and proof of reading scores increasing!!!
http://www.tdi-dog.org/childrenreadingtodogs.htm
http://www.therapyanimals.org/read/about.html
http://www.suite101.com/reference/dogs_benefit_from_children_reading_to_them
http://www.therapyanimals.org/read/view_article.php?articleID=130
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/13/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main1208443.shtml
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/11/28/hearing_a_tale_while_wagging_the_tail/
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/news/Inthenews/tailwagging.elmer.121907.pdf
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Ms. Somers, I personally have an interest in this area. There are a few programs
out there, one notable one in Monroe County Indiana. The program was started and is
still going strong at the Ellettsvile Branch of the Monroe County Public Library.
The children's librarian, Stephanie Holman, began the project and is called "ARF"
or "Animal Reading Friends". I did some research on this area last fall for my
Public Libraries class with TWU. A group that often assists with this program is
the Delta Society - they are a national organization that provides registration for
therapy dogs. Try this site for a specific article on the topic:
http://journalism.indiana.edu/gallery/j560fall06/klasher/index.html
I have a few other articles I can provide a bib. on so you can search yourself.
They basically spell out the basics of the program, but provide proof the program
is a worthy cause.
I just adopted a dog I hoping will be therapy worthy just start my own program.
I would love to keep in touch with you and hope you would share your information
and experiences on this program.
Let me know if I could provide any other information.
Thanks! Have a great day!
**********************************************************************************
St Hubert's in Madison, NJ has a very active reading program in their Paws for
People Program which is the pet therapy program. Check out their website
http://www.sthuberts.org/whatwedo/training/training.asp look for Paws for People.
They might know of a program near you.
*******************************************************************************
One of our elementary counselors has raised dogs for Paws with a Cause and taken
the dogs with her to school. She has observed children sharing concerns with the
dog or reading to the dog with a level of comfort they don't feel with most adults.
You may already have the following articles, but just in case here goes:
http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2008/08/14/news/doc48a44beb90278086158789.txt
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3614/is_200504/ai_n13498667
http://www.tdi-dog.org/childrenreadingtodogs.htm
http://www.worldandi.com/subscribers/feature_detail.asp?num=25151
http://www.puppyclass.cc/TherapyDogs.htm
http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-3/animal.htm
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m1t5306x13888134/ abstract only
*********************************************************************************
We have just started a program here at our elementary school (grades 4-5)
involving a local organization called "Hand and Paw". (Actually, this may
not be just a local organization; I would have to check.) This organization
helps not only children but the elderly, seriously ill of all ages, etc. In
our case, a trained volunteer and her dog (small dog!) come to the school
library once a week to read with children- she stays for one hour and reads
with 4-5 children, individually. The students are struggling and/or
reluctant readers, and have been identified by classroom teachers as someone
who might benefit from the extra attention. The children have really warmed
up to the "non-judgmental" reading opportunity. (The adult volunteer will
help the children along if necessary, but for the most part it is just a
relaxed read-aloud time).
***********************************************************************************************
We have just started a program with a couple of dogs. I am setting up the schedule
now. This article may be helpful to you in preparing your presentation:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3614/is_200504/ai_n13498667/print?tag=artBody;col1
***********************************************************************************************
We have a therapy dog that visits both of my elementary schools. At one
school, 2nd graders read to the dog for about 10 minutes each in the
library. At my other school, the MIMH kids come down individually and
read to the dog. It has been wonderful for all of the kids, but the
MIMH are especially delighted to be able to read to Maggie. This is our
2nd year with the program. I just ok'd it with my principals and set up
schedules with those teachers. Good luck.
********************************************************************************************
Hello,
We have a therapy dog coming into the Library once a week. Each of our K-4
classroom teachers has signed up for a week, so the dog is working with all types
of students, not just reluctant readers or ELL students. The owner of the dog (one
of our 4th grade teachers) explains to students what a reading dog is all about,
and then the students split into small groups. The dog visits each group, and each
student has a chance to read out loud to the dog.
I have no official stats for you that this improves reading skills, but the kids
really enjoy it. It also gives them a chance to practice reading out loud, which
they don't seem to have chances to do much anymore. It also adds to the
special-ness of the Library!
************************************************************************************************
Mary Anne Schwartz at Louisville Middle School forwarded your posting from the
Listserv to me. I teach at Pfeiffer Middle School in Perry Local Schools. I
coordinate a therapy dog program here at the school. This is the second year of
our Therapy Dog Program PAWS (Pairing Animals With Students). I bring my therapy
dog, Maggie, with me to school 4 days a week. I spend 45 minutes of my day working
with struggling readers and students with special needs. I also have a volunteer
who comes to school with her therapy dogs on Tuesdays for 3 hours to work with
various students.
I would be happy to help you any way I can. Please let me know what I can do for
you. Please feel free to look at my website www.perrynet.sparcc.org/~evanss and
click on the PAWS Program link to view information on the program.
**********************************************************************************************
Thank you for your interest in our organization! I would be happy to
provide any information that would be of help to you. We are enjoying
working with Vestavia Central and hope to expand our services with them
at some point soon.
In a nutshell, our Sit, Stay, Read! program encourages reluctant readers
to read. Children read aloud for 15-20 minutes to a therapy team (an
animal and its handler). Our therapy animals (usually dogs) serve as a
non-judgmental audience (i.e. will not laugh when a child mispronounces
a word, etc.). Through this program, children learn to enjoy reading
and even get a self-esteem boost. SSR isn't a tutoring program, but one
that encourages children to enjoy reading as it helps them to improve
their reading skills.
If you would like additional information, please let me know. We are
open to setting up a meeting with you at your school to discuss more
details.
Thanks again for your interest in Hand-In-Paw!
*********************************************************************************************
Mrs. Angel Somers / Media Specialist
West Long Branch Schools
135 Locust Ave
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732)222-6500 ext. 1254
asomers@wlbschools.com
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