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Tales Teams Dogs in Training Information - becoming a Puppy Tales Team
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Puppy
Tales at Vineland Public Library Puppy Tales is an innovative program initiated at Vineland Public Library in November, 2003. Our mission is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy dog teams. The premise of the program is simple: Put a dog and a child together and watch magic happen! Puppy Tales demonstrates how registered therapy dogs who have passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test and received special training in listening skills can be instrumental in improving the literacy skills of children. Puppy Tales is an effective, unique and FUN program. Children visit the library and read aloud to a puppy in a positive, non-judgmental atmosphere. Literacy specialists acknowledge that children who are below their peers in reading skills are often intimidated by reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-esteem, and view reading as a chore. Research indicates children are often more willing to interact with an animal than another person. Further, children are inclined to forget about their limitations. Puppy Tales is an affiliate of the national R.E.A.D.® program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs). Puppy Tales is already a success story. There are 13 registered Puppy Tale Partners working with children. Laughter is often heard during reading sessions. Children are excited about reading and visiting the library. They are developing comprehension skills and love teaching a puppy (who has many, many questions). Call the library's Children's Department for program information (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246. For information on the R.E.A.D. program, call the library's Community Relations Coordinator Anita Lupcho (856) 794-4244 ext. 4734. |