We are excited to fill you in on one of our newest programs, the k9 Rad Readers.
Our Mission for k9 Rad Readers:
Is to help improve the literacy of children through the assistance of our mentor dogs and to touch on the child's creative side with our art and illustration outreach.
About The k9 Rad Reader Dogs:
All of the dogs aiding us in this program are registered Canine Good Citizen's and some are even part of our registered Mk9 Therapy Dog Team. Our K9 Rad Reader dogs also accompany us in our K9 Kid 101 & Rise Above programs. These dogs that are joined by their owners all meet strict guidelines relating to health and temperament. Our dogs are friendly with people of all ages and tolerate the presence of other dogs.
If you think your dog has what it takes to join our program and is CGC certified , a registered Therapy dog or if you have other questions please email Michelle.
If you are interested in exploring this field with your dog and need to pass the requirements, please see our training page and contact Beth with any questions regarding classes.
If you are interested in exploring this field with your dog and need to pass the requirements, please see our training page and contact Beth with any questions regarding classes.
About The Art/Illustration Aspect of This Program:
Derek Zielinski of Modified k9 leads this section of our program. With over 15 years experience in the art and outreach industry he offers multiple outlets for creativity. Getting the children involved with deferent mediums and showing them how to expand their imagination through their own art creations.
After the children read their stories, the art section of this program helps them comprehend what they have read and communicate it visually. In addition giving them a keep sake to take home to share with their family.
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| Derek at Kidz Jam - Performance Painting |
In Addition:
The kids are allowed hands on experience with the dogs, learning about dog body language, dog etiquette and are even shown a few progressive training techniques.
The kids are allowed hands on experience with the dogs, learning about dog body language, dog etiquette and are even shown a few progressive training techniques.
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| Clara & Brad Pit |
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| mk9 Linda and her team member Lilly, showing the kids "Leave It" |
Research Shows:
Reading to dogs can boost reading skills in children as well as help with emotional and social skills.
University of California - Davis Study
In 2010, the University of California - Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension conducted a study to find out if reading to dogs could really improve reading skills in children. They had noticed that there was not a lot of research that had been done on the topic, other than testimonials from children, parents, librarians, and teachers. They worked with Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) to test and evaluate ARF's All Ears Reading Program.
Studies were conducted with a group of third grade students at an elementary school and also a group of home-schooled children. The program lasted for ten weeks and the children read to the dogs once a week for approximately fifteen minutes, after having a few minutes to sit with the dog. Two UC-Davis undergraduates who were trained to work with animals supervised the sessions.
In order to evaluate the readers, the Oral Text Reading for Comprehension Test was administered before and after the ten week session to evaluate reading fluency. In the school setting, the readers improved their fluency by 12%, while the control students did not increase their fluency at all over the same time period. Overall, the home-schooled readers increased their fluency by 30%.
Qualitatively, the participants in the program believed it was a huge success. Before the program started, many of the young readers didn't feel good about reading aloud. Afterwards, they felt more confident in their reading skills and also felt safe when reading to a dog. Their opinions of reading changed from feeling uncomfortable and self-conscience before the program to proclaiming that reading was much more enjoyable for them now.
Studies were conducted with a group of third grade students at an elementary school and also a group of home-schooled children. The program lasted for ten weeks and the children read to the dogs once a week for approximately fifteen minutes, after having a few minutes to sit with the dog. Two UC-Davis undergraduates who were trained to work with animals supervised the sessions.
In order to evaluate the readers, the Oral Text Reading for Comprehension Test was administered before and after the ten week session to evaluate reading fluency. In the school setting, the readers improved their fluency by 12%, while the control students did not increase their fluency at all over the same time period. Overall, the home-schooled readers increased their fluency by 30%.
Qualitatively, the participants in the program believed it was a huge success. Before the program started, many of the young readers didn't feel good about reading aloud. Afterwards, they felt more confident in their reading skills and also felt safe when reading to a dog. Their opinions of reading changed from feeling uncomfortable and self-conscience before the program to proclaiming that reading was much more enjoyable for them now.
View Video HERE:
Want Us to Visit Your Class?
Contact us, to see if we will be in your area. At this time we are visiting classes in parts of:
-Pennsylvania
-Pennsylvania
-New Jersey
-New York
**all must be within a 2.5 hour drive of Wilkes/Barre - Scranton Pennsylvania.**
We look forward to hearing from you!
SPONSORS FOR MATERIALS(books, art supplies & educational hand outs)
If you would like to become a sponsor for our k9 Rad Readers program please email Michelle for more details. Being a non profit we rely on the generosity of our followers to help us continue the work we do. Thank you all for taking a look at our new ventures.
Much love!
Looks like another great program MK9 has begun, best of luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Shaye, The email is modifiedk9@hotmail.com C:
ReplyDelete