IS YOUR DOG A GOOD LISTENER and COMFORTABLE AROUND CHILDREN?

The next READ class will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 1 - 5 pm. The class will be held in the Conference Room at the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, located at 2414 Mahan Drive. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

The fees are: $40 for the instruction manual, payable to AAANF, and an additional $40 for the registration fee to Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA, the home office of the READ program.) The benefits of contributing one hour a week to help children read: priceless. (Prepayment of the instruction manual is always greatly appreciated.)

To enroll in the November 7th class, please contact Patty Mitchell at pnalani@comcast.net or at 877-4187.

Requirements to Become a "READ" Team

What is R.E.A.D.® ?

R.E.A.D. ® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) is a national program developed to improve the literacy skills of children through pet therapy dogs. The dogs that participate in the program have been specially trained to be good listeners. The children find that reading to a dog is non-threatening, helpful, and fun because the dog listens without passing judgment or expressing criticism. The children benefit in many ways including improved self-confidence and enhanced reading proficiency. The program makes reading an enjoyable experience.

The R.E.A.D. ® program improves children's reading skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. Dogs trained in the program are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owners/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries, and many other settings as reading companions for children.

The Tallahassee R.E.A.D. ® program is READing with Paws. We are sanctioned by and affiliated with Intermountain Therapy Animals (www.therapyanimals.org) of Salt Lake City, Utah. ITA launched the program in 1999; there are now more than 550 registered R.E.A.D. ® teams from 42 states and Canada.

We currently have teams reading with students at Maclay School, The School of Arts and Sciences, The Character Center, Desoto Trail Elementary, Hartsfield Elementary, Cornerstone Learning Community, and the Parry Library branch. The students range in grades from Pre-K to 8^th.

Results have shown an increase in reading levels and reading confidence, a higher desire to read, and an increase in students' practicing on their own to be prepared for when their canine classmates arrive.

Each READing with Paws member must be a current Delta Society member and a current ComForT Pet member. Handlers must also complete an additional training session for assisted therapy and animal assisted activity, as well as be mentored by other READing with Paws members.

If you would like more information about the Tallahassee R.E.A.D. ® chapter, please contact Jennifer Langford at jenjerbell@yahoo.com or 545-3328 or Patty Mitchell at pnalani@comcast.net or 877-4187.

Recent READ team photos: