I just read an interesting article on CNN, titled, “Learning to read? Try talking to a dog.”
I’m very pleased to say that this article discussed my home state, West Virginia.
Children are learning to read by reading to therapy dogs. These dogs are also known as Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) This works because dogs offer unconditional acceptance. Children or people learning to read often feel embarrassed and judged when reading aloud to others. These dogs are perfect listners.
Jim Wilmth and his dog Bailey help with the “sit, stay, read” program at local libraries in West Virginia to help improve literacy. Naturally, I'm very pleased to hear this. As you may already knkow, the focus of my book, "Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom" was to promote literacy.
The article also discusses the health benefits of dogs, too.
I’m very pleased to hear about this program and Jim Wilmoth and his dog Bailey are now on my list of people to meet. I’m going to learn more about their program as soon as possible. I’ll upload pictures and more information to this blog for your enjoyment.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/22/dogs.irpt/index.html
Want to learn more about pet therapy?
If so, you might want to consider taking my self-study continuing education course, titled, Therapeutic Outcomes for Using Dogs as a Pet Therapy Approach. (5 clock hours of continuing education).
You may want to register for this course right away. It’s listed in the course library at my link here: http://www.dannypettry.com/Courses.htm
A boy who I provide services for made an interesting comment today. He said that he likes to read to his stuffed animal. It reminded of the article above. Please note that this boy has made amazing advancements in reading over the last year. He couldn't read or write nearly anything one year ago. I encouraged him to continue to read to his stuffed animal. I asked him if he'd ever like to read to a dog. Of course he said, "yes."
ReplyDeleteVery interesting.