Pawfect Listeners<\/strong><\/p>\n Learning to read is an essential skill, but unfortunately while developing the fundamental building blocks, the task offers numerous setbacks, which can dishearten many children. Fantastic innovations are now in place, offering alternative strategies in assisting children with this process. There is increased recognition of the\u00a0benefits of therapy dogs\u00a0for children with special needs or learning difficulties.<\/p>\n The dogs are able to assist in meeting the\u00a0needs of\u00a0these children in an unconditional and natural way that\u00a0promotes the positives of reading. Therapy dogs have been used for some time and there is a growing appreciate of initiatives such as Reading with Rover<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em> This program encourages children to attend libraries to experience a\u00a0one-to-one reading session with a dog. Parents are reporting that their previously reluctant-to-read children can’t wait to attend the library for these sessions. There are plans moving forward that this program will extend to assist children in a classroom setting.<\/p>\n Read Dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes referred to as read dogs<\/em>, these calm and patient animals are non-judgmental listeners. There give no corrections or interruptions, allowing the child to read at their own pace. In a classroom or small group setting, the dog will naturally become the focus of attention, allowing the reader space and time away from criticism or any negativity sometimes found in this setting. Cultivating confidence in the reader is paramount and there is documented evidence that there are many other positive effects on children.<\/p>\n Scary School<\/strong><\/p>\n School life presents a myriad of experiences and opportunities for children. These in themselves can be daunting. Spending time with a dog is well known to help\u00a0reduce anxiety<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and improve confidence. Reduced reading anxiety is one of a number of positive outcomes documented by allowing the\u00a0dog to help children read. The benefits even extend to better social interactions outside of the classroom, following on from a reading therapy session. Increased exposure to positive experiences are proven to help develop confidence, which is especially crucial with young children. Becoming more confident with reading is an essential stepping stone that in turn allows children to progress faster academically and personally. This enables children to hopefully become more excited in entering school and learning. Biologically, interactions with dogs have been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.<\/p>\n Future<\/strong><\/p>\n Allowing a child to spend time reading with a dog present has so many benefits for all concerned. For children who are more advanced, the non-judgmental dog allows them to play with their reading. Children who are struggling can potentially find new hope. The wide and far reaching positives brought on by increased confidence in reading and education are factors that all parents and teachers aspire to.<\/p>\n Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#b4dbc0″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl9hcmNoaXZlIn19@” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”100px” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” header_font=”Rubik|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#44465f” header_font_size=”14px” header_line_height=”32px” body_font=”Rubik||||||||” body_text_color=”rgba(0,6,69,0.6)” body_link_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_color_all_image=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”20px” box_shadow_blur_image=”40px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(68,70,95,0.27)” image_max_width=”100px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sally Keys is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She moved from a corporate job to freelancing and loves the work-life balance it offers. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and traveling.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#EBDCB2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”159deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#42313A 0%|#EBDCB2 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#42313A” background_color_gradient_end=”#EBDCB2″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#1c1259″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”25px|0px|5px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”horizontal_optin_column_1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_align=”right” header_text_color=”#45107a” header_3_font=”Dancing Script|700|||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#B4DBC0″ header_3_font_size=”45px” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”JolenePhilo|89f719a52b” layout=”bottom_top” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_field=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” module_class=”custom_emailoptin” _builder_version=”4.16″ form_field_focus_background_color=”#42313A” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#B4DBC0″ button_border_width=”2px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_margin=”5px||||false|false” button_custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all_fields=”2px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”EB Garamond|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#B6452C” header_font_size=”50px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”current” show_more=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_color=”#42313A” meta_font=”||on||||||” read_more_font=”|||on|||||” read_more_text_color=”#B6452C” read_more_font_size=”12px” pagination_text_color=”#B6452C” pagination_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Therapy dogs are being employed to help reluctant readers gain confidence. Read on to find out how it works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Subscribe for Updates from Jolene<\/h3>\n
Related Posts<\/h1>\n
![\"Therapy](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/read-dog-fb.jpg\")
\n\nTherapy dogs for reluctant readers, also knows as read dogs, are the subject of Sally Key's fascinating guest post. Read on to learn about the many benefits therapy dogs can offer our children who struggle to read fluently.<\/em>\n\nPawfect Listeners<\/strong>\n\nLearning to read is an essential skill, but unfortunately while developing the fundamental building blocks, the task offers numerous setbacks, which can dishearten many children. Fantastic innovations are now in place, offering alternative strategies in assisting children with this process. There is increased recognition of the\u00a0benefits of therapy dogs<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for children with special needs or learning difficulties.\n\nThe dogs are able to assist in meeting the\u00a0needs of\u00a0these children in an unconditional and natural way that\u00a0promotes the positives of reading. Therapy dogs have been used for some time and there is a growing appreciate of initiatives such as Read to Rover<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em> This program encourages children to attend libraries to experience a\u00a0one-to-one reading session with a dog. Parents are reporting that their previously reluctant-to-read children can't wait to attend the library for these sessions. There are plans moving forward that this program will extend to assist children in a classroom setting.\n\nRead Dogs<\/strong>\n\nSometimes referred to as read dogs<\/em>, these calm and patient animals are non-judgmental listeners. There give no corrections or interruptions, allowing the child to read at their own pace. In a classroom or small group setting, the dog will naturally become the focus of attention, allowing the reader space and time away from criticism or any negativity sometimes found in this setting. Cultivating confidence in the reader is paramount and there is documented evidence that there are many other positive effects on children.\n\nScary School<\/strong>\n\nSchool life presents a myriad of experiences and opportunities for children. These in themselves can be daunting. Spending time with a dog is well known to help\u00a0reduce anxiety<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and improve confidence. Reduced reading anxiety is one of a number of positive outcomes documented by allowing the\u00a0dog to help children read<\/a><\/strong>. The benefits even extend to better social interactions outside of the classroom, following on from a reading therapy session. Increased exposure to positive experiences are proven to help develop confidence, which is especially crucial with young children. Becoming more confident with reading is an essential stepping stone that in turn allows children to progress faster academically and personally. This enables children to hopefully become more excited in entering school and learning. Biologically, interactions with dogs have been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.\n\nFuture<\/strong>\n\nAllowing a child to spend time reading with a dog present has so many benefits for all concerned. For children who are more advanced, the non-judgmental dog allows them to play with their reading. Children who are struggling can potentially find new hope. The wide and far reaching positives brought on by increased confidence in reading and education are factors that all parents and teachers aspire to.\n\nSally Keys is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She moved from a corporate job to freelancing and loves the work-life balance it offers. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and traveling.<\/em>\n\nDo you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em>\n\nSave<\/span>","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[3559,3606,3561],"tags":[4025,2431,3939],"class_list":["post-25885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-different-dream","category-schooleducation","category-special-needs-parenting","tag-read-dogs","tag-reading","tag-self-confidence"],"yoast_head":"\n