Bideawee's Reading to Dogs Program
Dogs have proven that they are more than just companions. They have been trained to help the blind, sniff for explosives, provided soothing therapy for hospital patients and have even been know to help in early detection for cancer. Helping children to read is just another way that dogs have proven to be our invaluable friends.
According to the National Assessment of Education Progress, children who don't read for fun have much lower scores than children who do. Reading to dogs provides a fun, non-judgmental environment where children can improve their reading skills.
Literacy specialists have found that children that score below their peers in reading ability often suffer from low self-esteem and are self-conscious of reading aloud in a group. Research with therapy animals shows that children with low self esteem are often more comfortable interacting with animals. A dog's calm and attentive presence is comforting, and as a result, the child can begin to discover how enjoyable and worthwhile reading can be. 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 social skills and self-confidence.
Launched in 2003, Bideawee's Reading to Dogs Program has nearly tripled since its inception, and currently partners with eight schools on Long Island. More than 136 school children participate in weekly one-on-one sessions with a volunteer pet therapy pair. Reading to Dogs also serves nine libraries on Long Island, where our 22 library events have been attended by more than 370 children. Our Manhattan and Westhampton sites have recently started Reading to Dogs Programs and is seeking more trained volunteer teams to expand their programs.
In early 2008, our Manhattan site partnered with Homes for the Homeless to provide this unique program to children in their organization. As featured in the Daily News and The Early Show, a small group of children visit our Manhattan site to read to Missy, an 8 year old Lab/Shepherd Mix that was once homeless herself and adopted from Bideawee in 2004.
The typical Reading to Dogs volunteer likes children and has the patience needed to coach and mentor the child during these one-on-one sessions. You must be able to simultaneously respond to both the needs of the child and your pet. You must be able to make a commitment for a defined time period for the program to be successful.
The typical Reading to Dogs animal is exceptionally social, gentle, smart and obedient. He must be in tune with any command given by his master, must settle in nicely in a new setting, must love attention from strangers, and he must like children. He is well-mannered and tolerant of any type of touch or action from adults and children.
Reading to Dogs Volunteer Teams Needed:
We are looking for volunteer pet pairs for all locations who can be available once a week. 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 be registered with a nationally recognized animal assisted therapy organization. You can get started at Bideawee with our classes today.
If you and your pet are registered as an Animal Assisted Therapy Pair, contact one of Bideawee’s Learning Centers .
Manhattan
410 East 38th Street New York, NY 10016
646.619.7221
ManhattanTraining@bideawee.org
Wantagh
3300 Beltagh Avenue Wantagh, NY 11793
516.785.7822
WantaghTraining@bideawee.org
Westhampton
118 Old Country Road Westhampton, NY 11977
631.325.0200
WesthamptonTraining@bideawee.org
Bideawee will ask you to complete some paperwork to get the application process started. Part of the application process includes an interview and a background check. After the application process is complete, our Learning Centers will match you and your pet with an appropriate organization.
Reading to Dogs volunteer teams without experience usually begin volunteering as Pet Therapy volunteers to get some practice until both the volunteer and the organization agree that it’s time to move forward.
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:
