This message is from: Steve McIlree <st...@carriagehorse.com>
I know many of you had the opportunity to meet my Corgi, Clust, at the 25th celebration in Winona. At that time I may have shared with you that he is a registered therapy dog. In addition, he is a registered Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.). This is a program, which utilizes dogs who are registered with other recognized therapy groups to help children overcome literacy problems. The concept behind this is that many troubles that youngsters have with reading stem from feelings of inadequacy when read aloud to peers or adults. This feeling of pressure to perform sets up a negative feedback situation and the child reads worse. The Reading Assistance Dogs provide totally non-judgmental listeners for the kids to practice their reading skills, while the human team member sometimes offers help by speaking for the dog. It is a very fulfilling opportunity to help youngsters with the development of an vital life skill. The Intermoutain Therapy Animals group which provides a registry for the R.E.A.D. program has an opportunity to receive a generous grant from Better World Books. The final recipient of this grant is to be determined by a Internet popular vote. The Reading Dogs now stand in second place. I would like to ask all of you to visit the ITA Web site at http://www.therapyanimals.org/Vote.html, and follow the directions you will find there to cast a vote for this worthwhile literacy program. Please do is soon as the voting ends on January 20. Thanks in advance, Steve McIlree Owner/Administrator FjordHorse List Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
