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If you are interested in joining our Paws On Therapy dog
teams or in volunteering in any way, please contact Patsy Swendson at |
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R.E.A.D Program
Children join AAT reading programs because they are below grade level or have self esteem issues and have been identified as at-risk. Children in these reading programs have improved self confidence and a pride in their accomplishments. They find reading more fun and actually will volunteer to read aloud in class.
The R.E.A.D. Program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) was founded
by Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) in 1999. They are a nonprofit
organization that first started a literacy program based around
using dogs. This program has been a success ever since, and has
helped many children gain confidence and enjoyment from reading. How
it works is very simple: by reading to a certified therapy animal,
the children do not feel judged or threatened. The children can
proceed at their own pace, feel relaxed and not be intimidated by
others. This has shown to improve the
Once all required certifications and registrations are completed with ITA, it is time for the next step with Penny’s From Heaven Foundation (PFHF). First, send a copy of your R.E.A.D. certificate to the PFHF R.E.A.D. Program Coordinator. Once received, a facility will be assigned. If there is a preference, please inform the Coordinator. Once the facility is identified and/or approved, then the therapy team must complete a Facility Agreement, which serves to establish expectations and guidelines between the facility supervisor and the therapy dog team. Bud Schneider and Joey and Ditto and Lisa Biggers and Max are our R.E.A.D. Program representatives at the Fabra School. The dogs love it, the kids love it and more importantly it is working! Our most sincere appreciation to all! [ Read More About the Fabra School Program ]
For information on Penny’s From Heaven Foundation’s Therapy Tails Program Contact: Patsy Swendson – 210-273-6471
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The Reading with Rover program in Washington
state indicates that their program helped turn children’s reading
environments into a non-threatening place where children can read
for the fun of it. “There is no risk of being embarrassed when a
word is mispronounced or a student reads slowly or doesn’t
understand the exact meaning of a sentence.”
Researcher Aaron Katcher in his book, Between
Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship, 1996 Purdue
University Press, notes that the presence of an animal can create a
therapeutic environment by:
Penny's From Heaven Foundation Therapy Dogs, 'Kelsie' and 'Cindy',
provide a comfy place to read for children at Ft. Sam Houston
Elementary School. These dogs are certified with Intermountain
Therapy Dogs Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program.
ITA has videos on YouTube that are required viewing. Once the packet
has been completed, including viewing the videos, mail all required
items to ITA along with a $50 lifetime fee. Should you have
additional therapy dogs, they will have a $10 lifetime fee. Once ITA
processes the documents, they will send a letter in the mail with
your R.E.A.D. certificate and a letter on joining the R.E.A.D.
Forum. The R.E.A.D. Forum is a wonderful resource and community
supporting R.E.A.D. program participants.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
