Read to a Dog Program
R.E.A.D. Dogs
Independent Readers who have completed Kindergarten to Grade 4 are invited to read to a R.E.A.D. Dog. Children read one-on-one to a registered R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog) and Delta
Society Pet Partner dog and trainer team. Delta Pet Partners are screened, tested, and qualified in temperament and skills to do animal assisted activities and therapy.
To REGISTER your child to read, complete a Registration Form before your first reading session and deliver to the Library's Front Desk, or call 608-222-6127 to sign them up for up to 3 slots on 3 different dates.
Summer Dates/ Times:
Sessions are 20 minutes long.
June 20 from 2:30 to 3:50pm
July 11 from 2:30 to 3:50pm
July 29 from 6 to 7:20pm
August 22 from 2:30 to 3:50pm
August 26 from 6 to 7:20pm
Dogs:
Sophie (Standard Poodle)
Molly (Chocolate Labrador Retriever)
Lexi (Bichon Frise)
Molly (Glen of Imaal Terrier)
READ to a Dog
This program is meant to be an event for independent readers to have a one-on-one reading experience with a trained dog and its owner in a
peaceful and quiet environment.
In some cases we have allowed an adult parent or guardian to be in the room in close proximity to a reader- if the reader wishes it- due to
extenuating circumstances, such as the child’s need to work out a fear of dogs.
To maintain a peaceful environment for the reading experience, the program is not set up for younger siblings such as babies and toddlers to
be in the room. This is for the benefit of all of the readers who have registered for the program, including your child, the other children who will be in the room, and to keep a minimum of distractions for the listening dogs.
Family members will be able to see the reader from outside the door of the story room.
“In general the program is set up for readers and the idea of the child sitting with the dog is to help the child feel comfortable and confident in
a non-judgmental environment. The child doesn't feel judged by a dog and the dog being there helps lower heart rate and blood pressure.”
Katie Kunz
Dogs On Call