Therapy dogs in libraries

1. Therapy Dogs Helping
Children to Love Reading

2. Presented by
Harriet Schleifer
Co-founder, Blue Ribbon Therapy Dogs
and
Banquise’s Brandy’s Touch
Foundation Dog

3. Blue Ribbon Therapy Dogs
Non-profit organization founded in November 2013
Co-founders: Lise Hargrave, owner of Blue Ribbon Canine
Centre, a training centre for dogs, and Harriet Schleifer,
therapy dog handler
Mission to share benefits of animal/human bond with the
community
Professional training, certification and supervision of therapy
dog teams
Association of volunteer handlers and their personal pet dogs

4. THE DOG
LISTENS!
Willow reading with a young girl at the
Sunshine Academy in Dollard-des-
Ormeaux

5. THE SCIENCE
Corinne Serra Smith, doctoral dissertation, National-Louis
university, Chicago 2009
152 students in Sit Stay Read programme.
20% increase in oral reading fluency compared to control group
of 98 students
Positive reactions from teachers and students

6. THE SCIENCE
 University of California – Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension, 2010
Study involved groups of third grade students and home-schooled children.
Children read to dogs once a week for 15 minutes for 10 weeks.
Oral Test Reading for Comprehension Test administered before and after to
evaluate reading fluency.
Third graders improved 12%, home-schooled children 30% compared to
control group (0%).

7. Brandy reading with a young boy
at the Côte-St-Luc Library
Photo courtesy of The Gazette

8. READING SKILLS: THE BENEFITS OF
READING DOGS
 EXTRA PRACTICE WITH READING AND ORAL SKILLS
 INCREASED WILLINGNESS TO READ ALOUD
 MOTIVATION TO READ MORE
 ENCOURAGEMENT TO READ MORE DIFFICULT BOOKS
 INCREASE IN READING FLUENCY

9. THE JOY OF
READING TO A
CANINE FRIEND
A young girl shares a special
passage in her book with Brandy.
Photo by Fay Zeira

10. The magic of canine reassurance
The child reaches for the
comforting presence of the
therapy dog while reading a
difficult passage.
Photo by Fay Zeira

11. EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF
THERAPY DOG PROGRAMMES
 ENJOYABLE AND FUN FOR CHILDREN
 KIDS FEEL SAFE AND REASSURED BY THE DOG’S PRESENCE
 PETTING THE DOG CALMS THE CHILD
 SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE
 INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND FEELING OF LEADERSHIP
 JUDGMENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT

12. SOCIAL BENEFITS OF
INTERACTION WITH
THERAPY DOGS
 COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE IMPROVED
 CHILDREN LEARN KINDNESS AND EMPATHY
 PARTICIPANTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

13. A FRIENDLY CANINE EAR Photo by Fay Zeira

14. DISSENTERS AND RESPONSES
TO THEIR CONCERNS
QUESTIONS
 “Dogs are dirty and messy.”
 “Dogs cannot behave well
enough to be in a library.”
 “People have allergies”
ANSWERS
 Therapy dogs are groomed
before visits and bathed
frequently. They may sit on a
blanket or mat.
 Therapy dogs are tested to
ensure polite, appropriate
behaviour. Certified dogs carry
an insurance policy.
 Reading dogs work in a clearly
marked, designated area.

15. BLUE RIBBON THERAPY DOGS
OUR PROGRAMME INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
 Dogs attend obedience training classes
 Dogs and handlers are carefully evaluated
by experienced professional dog trainers
 Successful teams must attend an
orientation session and continuing
education seminars
 References and police checks are required
 A minimum of three supervised visits are
required before the team visits on their
own
 Dogs are identified by vests and handlers
by shirts when visiting. A one-piece soft
martingale leash is required for safety.

16. LIBRARY DOGS.COM