What's been happening at the Locust Corner Elementary School in Ohio, USA, for the past four years?
Every homeroom in the elementary school, K-3, has an assigned dog for the kids to take
turns reading to; there is at least one reading dog at the school every day, all day.
The program is non-restricitive and involves choice reading, so the kids can choose
whatever reading material they want.
Interestingly, the elementary school, which is in the New Richmond Exempted Village
School District, has accumulated documented data that has shown that students'
reading test scores have dramatically improved as a result of the reading dogs program.
"The data is amazing," said principal Julie Renner. "Over the years of the program, we
have verified the fact that it really has increased student scores when it comes to fluency,
comprehension, and retension - our students are becoming better readers because of the
reading dogs program."
Renner thinks the improvement is due to the fact that the program is very therapeutic
for children because dogs never turn them down, ask them to stop, slow down, look
at pictures, use any clues, or work on word pronunciation.
"The dogs provide a comfort level," Renner asserts. "With reading to the dogs, kids can
just focus on the sheer pleasure of reading, which in turn gives them a love of reading."
WHEN SCHOOL CHILDREN in Rocky Hill, CT, have reading problems to
overcome, they now spend time reading to dogs like Gulliver instead
of in remedial reading classes that may impart a stigma. Gulliver, a
160-pound, unflappable Newfoundland who loves to listen to stories
looks more like a bear than a dog. Janet Massey is a retired teacher
and Gulliver's owner...
reading to dogs like Gulliver instead of in remedial reading classes that may
impart a stigma. Gulliver, a 160-pound, unflappable Newfoundland who loves
to listen to stories looks more like a bear than a dog. Janet Massey is a retired
teacher and Gulliver's owner...
This article was published in NRTA Live & Learn Fall 2007.
http://www.aarp.org/aarp/live_and_learn/Across_Generations/articles/Remedial_
reading_dog.html
New staffer will be working like a dog
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Administrators at Liberty Elementary School in North Ridgeville are about to have
man's best friend as their newest staff member. Through Assistance Dogs of
America Inc., a nonprofit dog rescue and training organization, the district arranged
for a therapy dog to be added at no cost to taxpayers. As soon as the details are
worked out and the training is completed, a Labrador retriever, golden retriever or
a mix of the two will belong to the school community as a whole.
"The dog will never criticize; the dog will never make fun of," school guidance
counselor Pati Shellhouse said. "It's just a wonderful program."
According to communications specialist Tissy Simon, therapy dogs aren't anything
new for North Ridgeville schools. In fact, their previous exposure made them a great
candidate for Assistance Dogs of America's ninth school dog.
The primary handler for the therapy dog will be intervention specialist Gretchen Herzberger,
who explained some of the benefits of a school pup.
The dog is expected to aid administrators with speech therapy, anger management,
ice-breaking during regular group therapy sessions, school spirit and morale building.
"I think it will definitely change the whole feel of the whole school," Herzberger said.
Trainers with Assistance Dogs of America Inc. work with the animals and analyze
their personality before assigning them a program. Dogs have been found to be successful
in prisons, hospice facilities, schools and on a one-on-one basis.
Because Assistance Dogs of America Inc. operates with grants and fundraising,
client services director Jenny Barlows explained that schools are charged only
a $25 application fee and a $100 application fee to participate.
Liberty has offset these costs with fundraisers and support from North Ridgeville
organizations including the Lions Club and the Animal Clinic Northview, which has promised
free medical care.
In being open-minded toward a nontraditional program, Liberty Elementary will
have a versatile teaching tool to assist with a growing list of services.
Jasmine is owned by Denise Allen, who is a teacher at Greely High School.
Jasmine works one hour a week at the Middle School, and spends the remainder of
her time at the High School. Professional educators set student goals and provide a
frame work for Jasmines work with students. Activities include walking, communicating
with sign language, cooking, and soft-ball throws for the Special Olympics.
"We agreed to give it a try, since having a dog in school is unusual and some people
are afraid of dogs," said Wayne Fordham, the assistant principal. "Over the years
the program has grown, and you can see (Jasmine's) impact on the population as
a whole, primarily the special needs students, but also on kids just having a bad day."
The following are Denise Allen's definitions of animal assisted interventions, having
worked in this field for 8 years.
Animal Assisted Therapy
AAT, also known as "pet therapy", is a goal oriented intervention. It includes a facilitator,
animal and handler, specific goals for the student and an assessment of progress.
Animal Assisted Activities
The primary goal of AAA is to provide stimulation and interest for the student without trying
to meet specific therapeutic or educational requirements; The goal is to improve the quality
of life.
Animal Assisted Education
AAE is the incorporation of animals in an educational setting. It can be done within the
classroom or as an educational tool outside of the classroom. There may be specific goals
set under the supervision of a an educator.
http://deniseallen.org/animal_assisted_edu.htmlhttp://deniseallen.org/images/animal
_assisted_edu/love_jasmine.pdf
Four Legs and a Good Book: Northeast Academy students
acquire unique reading coach
Posted by Interactive Desk on Jan 30 2009, 11:58 AM
For the most part, Quincy sits still, panting patiently. But every so often, he
gets a whiff of something he can’t resist and starts sniffing a girl’s hair or a
boy’s pant leg. The students don’t mind. Such are the hazards of reading
aloud to a dog. Quincy, a bearded collie who is almost 3 years old, has
become a regular member of the Northeast Academy community this year.
The shaggy gray and white dog belongs to Frances Poris, a special education
teacher at the school who trained him to work as a therapy dog with her students.
"He became so popular that all the kids wanted to read to him," Poris said.
Dogs Help Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Educational Charity in south Georgia. Donations give to support the health and care of our dogs used in this charity are tax exempt. For any parents, teachers, or community members who would like to give to the dogs as they give to the children, we'll supply you with a tax deductible receipt to claim on your tax return.