| Spring 2005 Featured Website Article |
| Reading to Rover Utilizing Therapy Dogs to Help Children Learn to Read |
BY PENNY PRATT
The Heartland Pet Connection (HPC) is a newly founded animal shelter
(non-profit, 501-C-3) that opened its doors October 2004 in Hastings,
Nebraska. HPC has two purposes: 1) to establish educational and volunteer
programming in the community, associated with animals, and 2) to serve the
community with a new animal shelter.
WAGS (the educational wing of HPC) volunteers and their trained dogs
began their work by presenting assemblies in elementary schools, teaching
the children about animal safety and care. The children were captivated
The Heartland Pet Connection (HPC) is a newly founded animal shelter
(non-profit, 501-C-3) that opened its doors October 2004 in Hastings,
Nebraska. HPC has two purposes: 1) to establish educational and volunteer
programming in the community, associated with animals, and 2) to serve the
community with a new animal shelter.
WAGS (the educational wing of HPC) volunteers and their trained dogs
began their work by presenting assemblies in elementary schools, teaching
the children about animal safety and care. The children were captivated
by the sight of dogs entering their schools and by the lessons that they
bought with them.
The concept of Read to Rover was developed as a result of the potential
witnessed at these school assemblies. Read to Rover is a program designed
to help kids relax while reading. Reading out loud in front of other students
can be quite intimidating, especially if the student is not a good reader.
Reading to a dog is much easier. The dog doesn't care how it comes out.
Teachers choose students depending on the students’ need(s). HPC has dog
and handler teams in classrooms ranging from third to eighth grades.
The dogs and their owners come to their schools once a week and stay for
about an hour. Three or four children have the opportunity to read to their
"friend". The relationship between dogs and children blossoms quickly and
the children's progress is easy to see within the first month. Fun is what
reading should be all about.
Each team (handler and dog) is tested and "groomed" before becoming part
of Read to Rover. The teams must pass The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test
designed by the AKC and must demonstrate the desired temperament by
passing the Read to Rover Suitability Test, designed by Paws-Up, Inc.
Schools are very unpredictable environments and these teams must have the
skill and personality to enjoy the work that they do.
Penny Pratt, is the Education Coordinator for The Heartland Pet
Connection. For more information on establishing a Read to Rover
program, contact Penny at 402-462-PETS.
bought with them.
The concept of Read to Rover was developed as a result of the potential
witnessed at these school assemblies. Read to Rover is a program designed
to help kids relax while reading. Reading out loud in front of other students
can be quite intimidating, especially if the student is not a good reader.
Reading to a dog is much easier. The dog doesn't care how it comes out.
Teachers choose students depending on the students’ need(s). HPC has dog
and handler teams in classrooms ranging from third to eighth grades.
The dogs and their owners come to their schools once a week and stay for
about an hour. Three or four children have the opportunity to read to their
"friend". The relationship between dogs and children blossoms quickly and
the children's progress is easy to see within the first month. Fun is what
reading should be all about.
Each team (handler and dog) is tested and "groomed" before becoming part
of Read to Rover. The teams must pass The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test
designed by the AKC and must demonstrate the desired temperament by
passing the Read to Rover Suitability Test, designed by Paws-Up, Inc.
Schools are very unpredictable environments and these teams must have the
skill and personality to enjoy the work that they do.
Penny Pratt, is the Education Coordinator for The Heartland Pet
Connection. For more information on establishing a Read to Rover
program, contact Penny at 402-462-PETS.
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