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Tag Archives: R.E.A.D.

Reading to dogs

Posted on March 27, 2016 | Leave a comment

Reading to dogs programs, more formally known as animal-assisted reading programs, are on the rise.

In this Boston Globe article, it is reported that one volunteer organisation – Dog B.O.N.E.S. (Dog Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Support) – has certified more than 200 Reading Partner teams. And that’s working in the state of Massachusetts alone.

In Christchurch, we have a Reading to Dogs program which I wrote about in my column in NZ Dog World magazine (see below).

The big difference is that the Council was so worried about risk that it only accepted temperament testing by the Council’s shelter manager on the pet dogs of the animal control officers before allowing the program to proceed. Since we have testing such as the Canine Good Citizen test, sponsored by the NZ Kennel Club, I think it’s a shame that volunteers are not resourcing this program.

This would allow the animal control officers to work in enforcement areas that are so badly needed and always under-resourced.

Reading to Dogs

Can your dog R.E.A.D?

Posted on April 24, 2011 | 1 comment

In today’s world, literacy is an essential life skill. Did you know that dogs are being specially trained to help children learn how to read?

A Canadian R.E.A.D. dog in action (photo courtesy of TherapyAnimals.org)

The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) programme operates in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada and aims to improve reading and communication skills by allowing children to read to a dog. Dogs are non judgmental companions who allow the children to read aloud and gain self esteem, while practising their reading skills.

R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers and they visit schools and libraries and other venues. In tracking the effectiveness of the programme, schools are asked to report back on reading test scores of the children involved. Libraries schedule the R.E.A.D. visits as special events, and watch the children flock in to participate. Attendance numbers are also tracked.

Patrick Barkham of The Guardian Weekly recently published an article about Danny, a greyhound R.E.A.D. dog in the UK. Read The dogs who listen to children reading.

R.E.A.D. chapters have various requirements for dogs and their handlers. All dogs must achieve therapy dog qualifications which test their obedience, temperament, and sociability. Most dog handlers are required to attend training courses and this is augmented by on-the-job mentoring and coaching.