Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program

Statistics obtained from the Share Literacy website shows that:

• The time from birth through age 8 is the most critical for acquiring the "building blocks" of literacy.

• Research shows that more often than not children of functionally illiterate adults share the legacy of their parents in terms of educational, economic and social limitations. The gap in their proficiency and earning power widens as the children grow up. Early intervention is crucially important.

• Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for their later reading skills. On average, the availability of appropriate books in disadvantaged homes, together with simple parental coaching and encouragement, raises the time devoted to reading by 50 percent.

Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program is organized to assist in developing the literacy skills and enriching the lives of special needs children, preschool/elementary school children and individuals. We offer our Reading Program to community organizations and schools located throughout Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana and the Chicago, Illinois area communities. Many of these children and families receiving services come from economically impoverished areas. An initial screening of various organizations/schools had shown a great interest in securing the services of Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs.

Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program is multifaceted, comprehensive and innovative. The special needs community has a tremendous need for additional assistance with limited resources and opportunities. Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program has identified appropriate community groups and special needs schools and offers the program free of charge. We also give each child a book so they can read at home and parents can become involved with their special needs child's literacy development. A measurable outcomes evaluation tool will be used to monitor the progress and successful implementation of the program.

Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program will provide literacy assistance not only in educational/school settings but also to programs affiliated with support/community groups. On average, 50 percent of our programs are offered directly in educational/school settings and 25 percent within support/community groups and 25 percent are individual/family focused.

Special Spaniels Therapy Dogs Reading Program assists in developing special needs children's literacy skills by expanding access to presentations, books and assistance for parents. We strive to expand parent involvement in their child's education by giving children books that can be read at home, letters sent home to parents explaining the literacy presentation and contact information should they have any questions or concerns. The services that our program provides help the special needs children of our community by providing a basis on which to grow and develop. By involving their parents, this can not only aid the child's literacy skills but also increase the skills of the parent and potentially have an impact on their ability to interact with others, obtain employment and better themselves and their families. The impact of our program, while delivering top-notch and comprehensive literacy skills services to the special needs children, preschool/elementary children and other individuals is to provide education and a positive vision to the people of this community.