What is PAWS for Reading?

PAWS volunteers and their dogs go into the Randolph, Braintree, or Brookfield elementary schools (or the Kimball Public Library), usually for an hour once a week, to read with children in grades 1-6 The purpose is to give reluctant readers a chance to read in a warm, welcoming, non-threatening environment. We hope these students will improve in comprehension and reading fluency because of the experience. PAWS for Reading is an associate group of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.).

What makes a good PAWS dog?

A good PAWS dog is well-mannered, non-aggressive, reasonably calm, and interacts well with children. Your dog does not need "show dog" level obedience, but you must be able to communicate with and control your dog.

How do I become a PAWS volunteer?

    1. You and your dog have to first be certified as a therapy dog team; we work with Therapy Dogs of Vermont (TDV - http://www.therapydogs.org/).This involves 1 testing session and 3 on-site visits in nursing homes and at the school – all in the Randolph area. The testing session and first evaluation are usually on the same day; the other two evaluations are scheduled at the convenience of the group, usually a week apart.
      At the completion of the TDV process, there is an annual $20 fee to TDV for insurance coverage, bandanas, ID cards, etc. [If you and your dog are already certified with another Therapy Dog organization (e.g., Delta; TDI), this step is obviously omitted.]
    2. Once you and your dog are a certified therapy dog team, you must then be certified by the PAWS for Reading program. This involves reviewing some R.E.A.D. materials and participating in a training session about program logistics/procedures and strategies for helping children improve their reading fluency and comprehension.

What is expected of me and my dog?

  1. As a PAWS volunteer, you will be assigned to a classroom in the school of your choice (or the library, if you prefer). The classroom teacher will select 3 children to read to you and your dog. Students will come to read with you one at a time for approximately 15 minutes each.
  2. Because the PAWS for Reading program invests significant time and money on each volunteer, we request that you commit to at least one year of service to the program. There is flexibility in the program, however. We realize that volunteers will occasionally be unable to be at school.

Is there any cost involved?

The volunteer pays an annual $20 fee to Therapy Dogs of Vermont for insurance, bandana, ID cards and tags. The PAWS program pays for the volunteer’s R.E.A.D. membership and materials.

 

If you have additional questions about the PAWS for Reading program, please contact Karen Odato karen.odato@dartmouth.edu or 802-728-9262

Back to OSSU PAWS Page

Updated January 4, 2006. Contact person: Dale Gasque, webmaster & librarian.