Imagine a dog helping a child read. It’s happening across the country, as you may know if you read USA Today or watch CBS’s Early Show. And now it’s happening in Ovid.
Our library is privileged to be part of the innovative R.E.A.D. program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), thanks to the efforts of board member Sally Eller and her specially trained dog, Jackson.
The R.E.A.D. program is free and voluntary. The program’s mission is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered Pet Partner® therapy teams as literacy mentors.
The program’s scope is to demonstrate how registered therapy dogs and their handlers can help improve the literacy skills of children in an effective, unique way.
The program’s premise is that children find reading to a dog less intimidating. They read age-appropriate books with animal themes. It’s a special time in a positive environment that makes learning fun.
The focus is children in grades 3 - 8, but any interested child is welcome. To find out more about the program, go to www.therapyanimals.org/read. Or call our library.
