Okay...so normally I use this space to rant and whine, but today I'm not going to...that's right you can let out a sigh of relief...I had the priviledge last night to snoop in on a program that Alicia has been doing for a little while now called "Children Reading to Dogs."
The program is sponsored by Therapy Dogs International. The purpose behind this program is to help encourage children who may be struggling with reading or feel uncomfortable reading out loud. The program allows children a safe and comfortable place to practice reading, while also allowing them to interact with the dogs. Who doesn't love a friendly puppy?!
During a session, specially trained therapy dogs and their handlers will come in and spread out around the room. Children are assigned times and come in and sit down to read to the dogs and their handlers.
It was such a joy to watch these children with the dogs and the handlers. You could see not only how happy it made the children to be there, but how excited the dogs were too! The children seemed to respond very well to the dogs and their handlers.
The dogs are specially trained to be calm and almost submissive to the children. We had a little show and tell session afterwards and it was amazing to see the dogs follow commands! (Especially since I have a dog who will follow commands *only* with a treat in plain sight!) They all were so unique in their personalities and yet as gentle as could be. I had the distinctive opportunity to meet them all before the program actually began and it was wonderful! I even got a few kisses from some of the dogs (not the handlers...ha!).
If you haven't had the opportunity to check out this very unique and wonderful program, I certainly urge you to. It is truly fantastic!
If you would like more information about this program check out:
http://www.tdi-dog.org/childrenreadingtodogs.htm
The program is sponsored by Therapy Dogs International. The purpose behind this program is to help encourage children who may be struggling with reading or feel uncomfortable reading out loud. The program allows children a safe and comfortable place to practice reading, while also allowing them to interact with the dogs. Who doesn't love a friendly puppy?!
During a session, specially trained therapy dogs and their handlers will come in and spread out around the room. Children are assigned times and come in and sit down to read to the dogs and their handlers.
It was such a joy to watch these children with the dogs and the handlers. You could see not only how happy it made the children to be there, but how excited the dogs were too! The children seemed to respond very well to the dogs and their handlers.The dogs are specially trained to be calm and almost submissive to the children. We had a little show and tell session afterwards and it was amazing to see the dogs follow commands! (Especially since I have a dog who will follow commands *only* with a treat in plain sight!) They all were so unique in their personalities and yet as gentle as could be. I had the distinctive opportunity to meet them all before the program actually began and it was wonderful! I even got a few kisses from some of the dogs (not the handlers...ha!).
If you haven't had the opportunity to check out this very unique and wonderful program, I certainly urge you to. It is truly fantastic!
If you would like more information about this program check out:
http://www.tdi-dog.org/childrenreadingtodogs.htm
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