The SERC Library is Going to the Dogs!

Yes, you did read the title correctly - in fact on Tuesday, January 28th will be the first day we go to the dogs and the next scheduled day is Thursday, March 13th!  Are you intrigued about this DOG talk?

Well  ....  here is what we mean -----

The Reading Education Assistance Dog Program or R.E.A.D. Program is coming to the SERC Library!  The Reading Education Assistance Dogs program improves children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method:  reading to a dog.

But not just any dog!

R.E.A.D. registered therapy animals have been trained and tested for health, safety, appropriate skills, and temperament.  When these special animals come to listen to children read, it's fun!  And that makes all the difference.  Their presence creates an environment that is inviting, nonjudgmental, and empowering.

(Intermountain Therapy Animals, a nonprofit organization, launched R.E.A.D. in 1999 as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the idea of reading to dogs.) 

All of the available appointments on Tuesday, January 28th are filled.  If you are interested in having your child participate, the next scheduled time for Sailor (our R.E.A.D. dog) to visit the SERC Library is Thursday, March 13th from 5 pm to 6 pm.   Please contact Dawn Gosselin at 860-632-1485 x 250 or gosselin@ctserc.org for available appointments.  The SERC Library will take names of interested parties, if all the appointments fill up for the March 13th date, and will work from the list of names for the next available date in April or May.

Reading with a fluffy friend!

Okay, so England allows dogs or "listening canines" in their classrooms ----- check out Wynona the beautiful Alaskan malamute in the picture with two Devon, England eight year-olds, however, they cite research from Tufts University and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.  Have I caught your attention?  According to the article in the Telegraph (UK), the dogs are trained to have the children read to them and help with behavior issues.  The article is very interesting, check it out --http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/9372554/Dogs-in-the-classroom-reading-with-a-fluffy-friend.html .  The "listening canines" are trained to focus on a book a child is reading, and children are told they are teaching the dog to read.  According to the trainer, Tracey Berridge, "Teachers find reluctant readers start begging to read to the dogs." 

The dogs also participate in programs at libraries and Sharon Dixon, the supervisor at Barnstaple Library, who is introducting book groups with Tracey's dogs says,  "Children's concentration improves when a dog is there, the fact it won't laugh or criticise if they 're struggling is really important."  I would have liked to have a dog to read too when I had to read aloud ---- the butterflies and sweaty palms would have been not existent!

In addition, check out information on the organization training the dogs at http://dogshelpingkids.co.uk/.  I love their logo!