Schleifer therapy dogs helping children to love reading(1) abqla2015
16
Therapy Dogs Helping Children to Love Reading
Transcript of Schleifer therapy dogs helping children to love reading(1) abqla2015
Therapy Dogs Helping Children to Love Reading
Presented by
Harriet SchleiferCo-founder, Blue Ribbon Therapy Dogs
and
Banquise’s Brandy’s TouchFoundation Dog
Blue Ribbon Therapy DogsNon-profit organization founded in November 2013
Co-founders: Lise Hargrave, owner of Blue Ribbon Canine Centre, a training centre for dogs, and Harriet Schleifer, therapy dog handler
Mission to share benefits of animal/human bond with the community
Professional training, certification and supervision of therapy dog teams
Association of volunteer handlers and their personal pet dogs
THE DOG LISTENS!
Willow reading with a young girl at the Sunshine Academy in Dollard-des-
Ormeaux
THE SCIENCECorinne Serra Smith, doctoral dissertation, National-Louis
university, Chicago 2009
152 students in Sit Stay Read programme.
20% increase in oral reading fluency compared to control group of 98 students
Positive reactions from teachers and students
THE SCIENCE University of California – Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension, 2010
Study involved groups of third grade students and home-schooled children.
Children read to dogs once a week for 15 minutes for 10 weeks.
Oral Test Reading for Comprehension Test administered before and after to evaluate reading fluency.
Third graders improved 12%, home-schooled children 30% compared to control group (0%).
Brandy reading with a young boy at the Côte-St-Luc Library
Photo courtesy of The Gazette
READING SKILLS: THE BENEFITS OF READING DOGS
EXTRA PRACTICE WITH READING AND ORAL SKILLS
INCREASED WILLINGNESS TO READ ALOUD
MOTIVATION TO READ MORE
ENCOURAGEMENT TO READ MORE DIFFICULT BOOKS
INCREASE IN READING FLUENCY
THE JOY OF READING TO A CANINE FRIEND
A young girl shares a special passage in her book with Brandy.
Photo by Fay Zeira
The magic of canine reassurance
The child reaches for the comforting presence of the therapy dog while reading a
difficult passage.
Photo by Fay Zeira
EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF THERAPY DOG PROGRAMMES
ENJOYABLE AND FUN FOR CHILDREN
KIDS FEEL SAFE AND REASSURED BY THE DOG’S PRESENCE
PETTING THE DOG CALMS THE CHILD
SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE
INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND FEELING OF LEADERSHIP
JUDGMENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT
SOCIAL BENEFITS OF INTERACTION WITH
THERAPY DOGS COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE IMPROVED
CHILDREN LEARN KINDNESS AND EMPATHY
PARTICIPANTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES
A FRIENDLY CANINE EAR Photo by Fay Zeira
DISSENTERS AND RESPONSES TO THEIR CONCERNS
QUESTIONS
“Dogs are dirty and messy.”
“Dogs cannot behave well enough to be in a library.”
“People have allergies”
ANSWERS
Therapy dogs are groomed before visits and bathed frequently. They may sit on a blanket or mat.
Therapy dogs are tested to ensure polite, appropriate behaviour. Certified dogs carry an insurance policy.
Reading dogs work in a clearly marked, designated area.
BLUE RIBBON THERAPY DOGS
OUR PROGRAMME INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Dogs attend obedience training classes Dogs and handlers are carefully evaluated
by experienced professional dog trainers Successful teams must attend an
orientation session and continuing education seminars
References and police checks are required A minimum of three supervised visits are
required before the team visits on their own
Dogs are identified by vests and handlers by shirts when visiting. A one-piece soft martingale leash is required for safety.
LIBRARY DOGS.COM
