Literacy and Reading Programs
The process involves the student reading an age-appropriate book to our animal team in a setting that includes schools and libraries.
Literacy and Reading Programs
Reading and literacy program that matches elementary school children with assisted intervention dogs for reading tutoring.
The program provides the children with a sense of self-esteem enabling them to increase their reading grade levels.
A dog is a fun and interactive learning tool, ideal companions because they promote relaxation and lower blood pressure, do not judge, laugh or criticise and allow participant to proceed at their own pace.
Reading to dogs can boost reading skills in children as well as help with emotional and social skills.
Our Dog Assisted Reading Program is a a unique literacy initiative program that allows children to read aloud to a (AAI) dog in order to improve reading and communication skills.
Children read individually to trained dog (and their handlers) in schools, libraries, or other settings where they can feel comfortable and confident
Local children who participate in reading programs make enormous strides in reading and communication skills while building self-esteem, confidence and social skills along the way.
(AAI) dogs are registered, insured therapy animals whom work as a team in schools and libraries across South Australia as reading companions for children.
Benefits
We partner and serve within public libary's or schools
Reading Programs
Our reading and literacy program focuses on increasing the reading skill of younger school age children, supporting literacy through the message that reading can be fun, and promoting overall life-skill development.
The process involves the student reading an age-appropriate book to our animal team in a setting that includes schools and libraries.
The combination of the loving acceptance of the animal lowers anxiety and blood pressure, and the enjoyment of the animal interaction allows the reading to become fun and non-stressful.
There are countless benefits of using dogs as a tool in literacy programs.
In addition to giving students a fun, positive association with reading and writing, dogs also provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. Studies have shown that interacting with a dog helps to lower blood pressure and cortisol levels. This helps students feel more comfortable, less stressed, and better able to focus on their work.
Dogs provide a non-judgmental sounding board for out-loud reading. Students who get the chance to read out loud to one of the (AAI) Dogs in their classroom are less likely to feel worried about making mistakes, which helps them to become more confident readers!
Reading programs build reading skills under the attentive ear of a canine companion.
We serve within public library's or schools as well as established tutoring schools to support the efforts of students currently reading below grade level. Useful for students who have low self-esteem, may be shy about reading aloud, or are learning English as a second language.
In schools, teams work individually with students, some of whom may be struggling with literacy for a variety of reasons. They may be learning English or have unstable home lives, and some have learning challenges that make it difficult to concentrate. The (AAI) dogs offer a calm, safe environment in which children may practice, make mistakes, and try out different strategies that help them become more confident readers.
We work closely with teachers who have students that need extra help with their reading skills.
These children have an opportunity to meet with a Dog or dogs once per week/per fortnight/per month approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The student will read aloud to the dog and the handler will help the child understand the material and recognize and pronounce difficult words. Meanwhile, the dog will help calm the student, giving the child the confidence they need to read and succeed.