Bideawee's Reading to Dogs Program
Animals make ideal reading companions. Bideawee's Reading to Dogs program provides a fun, non-judgmental environment where children can improve their literacy skills. Teachers report that children participating in Reading to Dogs demonstrate improved reading skills, decreased school absenteeism, increased frequency in the completion of homework assignments, and improved self-confidence.
Bideawee's Reading to Dogs Program currently partners with 9 schools and 17 libraries on Long Island, touching nearly 500 children. Our Manhattan site has a link with the organization, Homes for the Homeless, to provide this unique opportunity to children from homeless families in the Bronx and Manhattan.
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To become a Reading to Dogs volunteer you must enjoy children and children's books and have the patience to coach a student through these one-on-one sessions. The program requires a regular commitment of time for the program to be successful.
The Reading to Dogs animal is exceptionally social, gentle, smart and obedient. He must settle in nicely in a new setting, must love attention from strangers, and must like children. He is tolerant of any type of touch or action from adults and children. Well mannered cats, pocket pets or certain types of birds are also welcome.
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Congratulations to the Recipients of the Alex Benjamin Norris Memorial Scholarship
The Alex Benjamin Norris Memorial Fund was established in memory of Alex who passed away on March 5, 1994 after sixteen years battling Fanconi Anemia. Alex was a great dog lover and an avid reader.
The following Reading to Dogs teams received scholarships to Bideawee's Pet Therapy Class as a result of a generous gift from the Alex Benjamin Norris Fund.
Cynthia Brenner & Johan
Josephine Bianco & Jesse
Lynn Eckers & Casey Dia
Florence Harff & Winston
Diane Kaminski & Brad
Sherry Plevretes & Sabrina
Cathy Schuchman and Alf
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Bideawee is looking for volunteer pet pairs for all locations. If you and your pet would like to audition for and be trained to participate in our Reading to Dogs Program, please check out our Therapy Prep Classes. All Reading to Dogs volunteer teams must register with a nationally recognized animal assisted therapy organization.
Choose one of the locations below if you are interested in speaking with someone about Pet Therapy, Reading to Dogs and/or our Therapy Prep Classes:
Manhattan
410 East 38th Street New York, NY 10016
212.532.4986
ManhattanLearning@bideawee.org
Wantagh
3300 Beltagh Avenue Wantagh, NY 11793
516.785.7822
WantaghLearning@bideawee.org
Westhampton
118 Old Country Road Westhampton, NY 11977
631.325.0200
WesthamptonLearning@bideawee.org
