Reading has Gone to the Dogs!

Overview  Purpose  Participants  Premise  Requirements  Program Development  Lessons Learned  Outcomes 2

Therapy Dog Reading 3

Therapy Dog Reading Participants  Readers – All children or children who struggle with reading – Typically grades 1-3, but can be expanded based on student interest  Therapy dog team – Certified therapy dog – Handler 4

Therapy Dog Reading Procedures Each child paired with a therapy dog team  No more than one child with each dog Child reads to dog Dogs listen Handler listens and observes, but does not prompt, correct, or provide unknown words Dogs are nonjudgmental and do not acknowledge errors 5

Therapy Dog Reading Procedures Reading time will vary  Depends on class size, instructional arrangement, and book length  Plan time for greetings at the beginning and play at the end 6

Therapy Dog Reading Premise “ “To err is human, to forgive is canine”Anonymous 7

Therapy Dog Reading Premise Children with reading difficulties  Have low self-esteem  Lack confidence  Are intimidated or anxious about reading  Are reluctant to read Martin, 2003 Children improve reading skills by reading  Struggling readers are more likely to read in a safe environment  Presence of a Therapy Dog creates a safe and accepting environment for children to practice reading skills 8

Therapy Dog Reading Premise Therapy dogs help children to  Relax so they can read  Focus on reading  Find reading fun Martin, 2003 “ The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.” Samuel Butler 9

Therapy Dog Reading Anticipated Outcomes “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down ” Robert Benchley 10

Therapy Dog Reading Anticipated Outcomes   Improved reading skills  Increased self-esteem  A sense of pride in their accomplishments  Involvement in other school activities  Checking more books out of the library  “Paws”ative attitude toward reading Martin,

Therapy Dog Reading Requirements All dogs must be certified therapy dogs  Current on all shots, including rabies  Passed Therapy Dog International (TDI) evaluation or equivalent  Groomed and clean  Will down and stay with child Handlers will not leave dog/child alone Dog/Handler team is insured by TDI as volunteers should an accident occur 12

Therapy Dog Reading Requirements All children should be informed of behavioral expectations  Do not run, scream, or yell around the dogs  Sit quietly while reading to or petting the dog  Scratch the dog under the chin Dogs find it scary when grabbed and hugged Dogs find it intimidating to be patted on the head “ABC’s” 13

Therapy Dog Reading Program Development Gaining Permission  Legal issues  Insurance liability Administrative and Faculty Support  Willingness to accept animals  Logistics  Accessibility  Contact 14

Therapy Dog Reading Program Development Administrative and Faculty Support  Recognize Phobias Identify children & staff in advance who are fearful of dogs Give advance notice of visits  Positive teacher attitude toward program is important for success  Helpful if teachers review behavioral expectations with children prior to first session  Plan alternative activities for students waiting to read to a dog 15

Therapy Dog Reading Therapy Dog Reading Program Development Parental Support  Contacts Letters and phone contact  Securing permission Permission slips and photo releases  Public Relations Ideas Presentation at Open House Media Coverage 16

Therapy Dog Reading Therapy Dog Reading Program Implementation Selecting Students  Grade levels and selection criteria Selecting Books  Trade books  Library books  Self Selection 17

Therapy Dog Reading Program Implementation Scheduling  Teachers  Students  Volunteers Locations  Finding suitable spaces and available rooms 18

Therapy Dog Reading Program Implementation Securing Volunteers  Use only Certified Therapy Dog Teams Therapy Dog International (TDI), Delta Pet Partners Dog is medically checked and behaviorally evaluated Specialized Skills for Therapy Dog Comfortable with children  Comfortable with children  At ease with crowds, noise, petting, and hugs  Reliable in novel situations  Able to lie quietly with a child for long periods  Attentive “Tracking print” and “Good Listeners” Martin, 2003 “Tracking print” and “Good Listeners” Martin,

Therapy Dog Reading Program Implementation Handler’s Responsibilities  Cleaning up after dog  Providing appropriate equipment  Properly identifying therapy dog and themselves  Following rules for entering and leaving building  Constantly monitoring child-dog interaction  Following protocol for reading program 20

Therapy Dog Reading Lessons Learned  Be flexible  Be prepared  Program best suited for students in grades 1-3  Give attention to the child  Stay tuned in to your dog Gerbens,

Therapy Dog Reading Expected Outcomes  Reading gains varied among students who participated in therapy dog reading programs Difficult to isolate impact of reading to dogs on student reading skills  Motivation for younger students to read  Increase in self-esteem  Increase in confidence when reading aloud and when participating in group discussions  Growth in interpersonal skills and empathy “Children and dogs are as necessary to the welfare of the country as Wall Street and the railroad” Harry S. Truman 22