The mission of the R.E.A.D.® program is to improve the literacy skills of children through
the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.
The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program improves children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.
Today, hundreds of registered R.E.A.D. teams work throughout the United States and Canada. R.E.A.D. is one of those ideas that, in the words of Bill Moyers, "pierces the mundane to arrive at the marvelous."
Intermountain Therapy Animals, a nonprofit organization, launched R.E.A.D. in 1999 as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing idea of reading to dogs, and the program has been spreading rapidly and happily ever since!
Other R.E.A.D.® News and Information
The R.E.A.D. Brochure
Download the R.E.A.D. brochure here (Adobe Acrobat, 117 KB)
R.E.A.D.® Associate Programs and Regional Workshops
| The ITA R.E.A.D. program is touching hearts across the nation. The following is a partial list of R.E.A.D. Associate Programs and Regional Workshops. It is our hope that this list will help put R.E.A.D. teams in contact with programs and workshops in their area.
If you would like to add your program to this list please send an email to the National R.E.A.D. Coordinator at the ITA office (read@therapyanimals.org).
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Organization: Magic Tails
Contact Name: Terry Pratt
City: Surrey
Province: British Columbia
E-mail: Terry_Pratt@shaw.ca
Notes: We visit Forsyth Road Elementary School and T.E. Scott
Elementary School; both in Surrey.
Organization: St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program
City: Cornwall
Province: Ontario
Phone: 613.936.1525
E-mail: sjatd@hotmail.com
Web Site: www.Sjacornwall.ca
Organization: Paws to READ
City: Mobile
State: AL
E-mail: paws2read@comcast.net
Notes: We visit the following facilities:
St. Mark United Methodist School
Mobile Public Library
USA Children's and Women's Hospital
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Organization: Pet Pals
Contact Name: Tim Gilliland
City: Yuma
State: AZ
Phone Number: 928.726.0357
E-mail: tim@desertvet.com
Website: www.desertvet.com/loal.htm
Notes: We currently visit Desert Mesa Elementary and Copper Hills House Assisted Living.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Nancy Winters, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Nancy at FargsMom@aol.com or visit her website at www.PJsPals.org.
Contact Name: Helen Kline Kranz
City: Grass Valley
State: CA
E-mail: HelenKlineKranz@yahoo.com
Notes: George, my Miniature Schnauzer, and I visit Madelyn Helling Library on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5pm and Vantage Point Charter School in Penn Valley on Thursdays.
Contact Name: Dave Valantine, Vice-President
City: Southern California and Bishop/Mammoth
State: CA
Phone: 707-258-3486
E-mail: dave@paws4healing.info
Website: http://www.paws4healing.info
Notes: We have R.E.A.D. programs at the following locations:
Los Angeles County Library, Valencia Branch – Santa Clarita, CA
Los Angeles Country Library, Canyon Country Branch – Canyon Country
Santa Clarita City Community Center – Newhall
Highlands Elementary School
Organization: Paws for Healing, Inc.
Contact Name: Joyce Bristow
City: Napa
State: CA
E-mail: info@PawsForHealing.org
Website: www.PawsForHealing.org
Notes: We are currently working in libraries in both Vacaville and Napa.
Organization: Paws to Heal
Contact Name: Melanie Ruiz, President
City: Inland Empire (Riverside/Fontana/Rialto/Rancho Cucamonga/Upland)
State: CA
E-mail: melanie@pawstoheal.com
Website: http://www.pawstoheal.com
Notes: We are currently visiting the following locations:
Dorothy Grant Elementary School - Fontana
Cypress Elementary School - Fontana
Sam V. Curtis Elementary School - Rialto
Upland Public Library
Fontana Public Library
Barnes & Noble - Rancho Cucamonga
Foothill Family Shelter - Upland
Christian Heritage Senior Center - Upland
Kaiser Hospital - Riverside
Organization: PJ's Pals
Contact Name: Nancy Winters
City: Apple Valley
State: California
E-mail: fargsmom@aol.com
Web: www.PJsPals.org
Notes: We currently serve people at the following facilities:
Libraries: Apple Valley, Barstow, Serrano, Victorville, Big Bear Lake
Schools: Mariana, Yucca Loma, AV Middle School, AAE, AV Christian, Rio Vista, Brentwood, Mojave Vista, Liberty, Theodore Vick
Other: Haley House, Kaiser Hospital, Hespela Prenatal
Contact Name: Gloria Laube
City: La Mesa (San Diego County)
State: CA
E-mail: librarydogs@cox.net
Phone: 619-465-9125
Website: www.librarydogs.com
Notes: Children read to Sunny at La Mesa Library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. We have also visited Ramona Elementary School once and expect to go there again. We are scheduled to visit La Mesa Dale Elementary School sometime in May. We’ve been on the KUSI Morning News when visiting the Lakeside Library, and have appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper.
Organization: Prescription: Pets (Rx: Pets)
Contact Name: Donna Conrad
City: Redding
State: CA
E-mail: donnaconrad@shasta.com
Phone: 530-276-9164
Notes: Rx: Pets will be hosting R.E.A.D. Basic Skills workshops in two locations on Saturday, October 18, 2008: in Redding and Eureka, CA. Instructors will be R.E.A.D. founders, Kathy Klotz and Sandi Martin. More details coming soon.
Organization: Rim of the World Comfort Pets
Contact Name: Linda Smith, Stefanie Morrell, Sherry Clausen
City: Crestline
State: CA
Phone: 909-338-2787
Notes: Rim of the World Comfort Pets has a R.E.A.D. program at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School and seasonal programs at the local library in Running Springs.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are given by Randi Bolton and also Donna Reif Sack, licensed R.E.A.D. instructors. The next scheduled workshop will be held on October 20, 2007. For complete details on this workshop, please contact Donna Sack at ReifSack@frii.com or 303-457-1477. To schedule a workshop with Randi Bolton, please contact her directly at randigb@comcast.net or 303-633-6382.
Organization: Rocky Mountain R.E.A.D.® (RMR)Contact Name: Donna Reif Sack
City: Denver
State: Colorado
Phone Number: (303) 457-1477
E-mail: rmr@rockymountainread.org
Web Address: www.rockymountainread.org
Notes: We visit the following facilities:
Lafayette Library – Lafayette CO
Westminster Libraries – Westminster CO
College Hill Branch and Irving Street Branch Broomfield Library – Broomfield CO
Fairview Elementary – Denver CO
Canyon Creek Elementary – Aurora CO
Slater Elementary – Lakewood CO
Sister Carmen Community Center – Lafayette CO
Organization: "Barks for Books" at the Douglas County Libraries
Contact Name: Randi Bolton, Coordinator
County: Douglas
State: Colorado
Phone Number: (303) 663-6382
E-mail: randigb@comcast.net
Notes: We have programs at the following locations:
Highlands Ranch Library, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Lone Tree Library, Lone Tree, Colorado
Neighborhood Library at Roxborough, Littleton, Colorado
Parker Library, Parker, Colorado
Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, Colorado
Organization: Colorado Therapy Animals (CTA)
Contact Info: info@coloradotherapyanimals.org
City: Lafayette
State: Colorado
Website: www.coloradotherapyanimals.org
Notes: We are new group that supports the north Denver Metro area Pet Partners and R.E.A.D. teams.
Organization: Denver Pet Partners
Contact Name: Leah Maples, Literacy Coordinator
City: Denver
State: CO
Website: www.denverpetpartners.org
E-mail: leahm@denverpetpartners.org
Notes: We are a program of American Humane
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Terri Carpenter, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Terri at 860-742-8611 or tojterrie1@charter.net
Organization: Tails of Joy, Inc.
Program Name: Story Tails
Contact Name: Terrie Carpenter, President
City: Hartford
State: Connecticut
Phone Number: 860.742.8611
E-mail: tojterrie1@charter.net
Website: www.tailsofjoy.org
Notes: We currently visit Coventry Grammar School, Webster Hill Elementary School, West Hartford Library, Prosser Library, Manchester Public Library, Willington Library, Booth & Dimock Library, Mark Twain Library.
Organization: Bethany Community School
Contact Name: Betsy Quitko
City: Bethany
State: Connecticut
Phone: 203-239-9291
E-mail: bquitko@bethany-ed.org
Notes: Currently visiting Bethany Community School
City: Hockessin
State: Delaware
Phone Number: 410.398.1711
E-mail: PAWSforPeople@comcast.net
Notes: We visit the following facilities: The College School, Leach School, Linden Hill Elementary, Townsend elementary, Appoquinimink Library, Brandywine Library, Claymont Library, Kirkwood Highway Library, Newark Library and New Castle Library.
Organization: National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Program Name: Capital READ
Contact Name: Michelle Cohen
City: Laurel
State: Maryland
Phone: 301-585-6283
E-mail: michelle@nctdinc.org
Web site: http://www.nctdinc.org
Notes: Capital READ aims to improve children's reading levels by having children read aloud to specially trained dogs. National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc. is currently working to establish Capital READ programs at schools and libraries in the area.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Paul Brazier in the Tallahassee area, Janice Pires in the Palm Harbor area, Maggi Payne in the North Fort Meyers area, and Merilee Kelley in the Orlando area, all licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. For complete details including exact location, time and cost of workshops, please contact Paul at PaulB_47@hotmail.com; Janice at Nolan2234@aol.com; Maggi at maggi@READingPaws.org; or Merilee at Merilee@READingPaws.org.
Organization: Emerald Coast FURever Friends
Program Name: Come, Sit, Stay, & R.E.A.D.®
City: Numerous cities in the Panhandle area
State: Florida
Contact Name: Cheryl Giebel-Petersen
E-mail: bcinc1@juno.com
Contact Name: Patsy Hunter
E-mail: aupatsy@cox.net
Website: www.EmeraldCoastFureverFriends.com
Notes: Current monthly programs at Navarre, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Tryon, Pensacola Downtown, Southwest Pensacola, and Eglin Air Force Base Libraries. Current programs at 2 Elementary schools, one in Santa Rosa County and one in Escambia County.
Organization: Star Bright Therapy Dogs and Obedience
Contact Name: Dot Blair, Founder/Director
City: Port St. Lucie
State: Florida
E-mail: bdorothy@hotmail.com
Notes: The Star Bright Therapy Dogs, an organization which evaluates, tests, trains, and supports therapy dogs for the purpose of giving loving and empathic support in nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric wards and other facilities. Star Bright also provides basic obedience classes. Star Bright dogs are working in a reading program at the St. Lucie County Library system.
Organization: T.A.I.L.S. Therapy Animals Improving Literacy Skills
Contact Names: Pati Nolan - 462.7777 (Work) 215.0640 (Cell)
Janice Pires - 785.4105 (Home)
Beth Brennan - BethInSC@aol.com
City: Clearwater
State: Florida
E-mail: TailsReadTeam@aol.com
Notes: We visit the following facilities -
Clearwater Libraries at Drew Street
Palm Harbor Library
Main Library in Downtown Clearwater
Greenwood Library in Clearwater
Kings Highway Elementary School in Clearwater
Bear Creek Elementary School in St. Petersburg
Organization: READing Paws®/Florida Chapter
Contact Name: Merilee Kelley
City: Ocoee
State: Florida
Phone Number: 321-251-6001
E-mail: info@READingPaws.org
Website: www.READingPaws.org
Organization: ComForT (Companions for Therapy
Program Name: Reading with Paws
Contact Name: Jennifer Langford (850-545-3328) or Paul Brazier (850-508-2093)
City: Tallahassee
State: Florida
E-mail: JenJerBell@yahoo.com
Notes: We visit 4 & 5 year olds at Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, Tallahassee; Barnes & Noble in Tallahassee on Saturday afternoons; 9 to 12 year olds through the Literacy Volunteers of Leon County; and are piloting a program with 1st-4th graders at the Maclay School in Tallahassee.
Organization: Pawsitive Pets, Inc.
City: Jacksonville
State: Florida
Contact Name: Lucinda Hietbrink or Kelly Blackburn
Phone Number: 888-254-7085
E-mail: PawsitivePetsInc@aol.com
Website: www.PawsitivePets.org
Notes: Our R.E.A.D. teams are currently serving 42 schools and public libraries, the Duval County Detention Center, the Children's Lighthouse Learing Center, and Barnes and Noble.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Robin Kirk and Merilee Kelley, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Robin at RobnKirk@mac.com or Merilee Kelley at Merilee@READingPaws.org.
Organization: READing Paws®/Georgia Chapter
Contact Name: Melissa Saul
City: Newnan
State: Georgia
Phone Number: 770-252-5303
E-mail: Melissa@READingPaws.org
Website: www.READingPaws.org
Contact Name: Sue Landa
City: LaGrange
State: Georgia
E-mail: kudzu706@hotmail.com
Notes: I visit libraries in the area with my 2 dogs Susan and Glade
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Connie Sharkey, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Connie at 208-733-2733 or CShark@hotmail.com
Organization: Intermountain Therapy Animals
Contact Name: Connie Sharkey
City: Twin Falls
State: Idaho
Phone: 208-733-2733
E-mail: CShark@hotmail.com
Notes: Our R.E.A.D. teams visit numerous facilities in the Intermountain West. To see a full listing go to ITA R.E.A.D.® Listing
Organization: Hinsdale Humane Society
Contact Name: Mary Grayson
City: Hinsdale
State: Illinois
Phone: 630-323-5630 ext 7
E-mail: humane.ed@hinsdalehumanesociety.org
Website: www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org
Notes: We visit the following facilities - Hinsdale Library, Clarendor Hills Library, Oakbrook Library, Hinsdale Adventist Academy
Organization: PAWS-4-PATIENTS, Inc.
Contact Name: Shirley Lieb
City: Chicago area
State: Illinois
E-mail: SDL747@aol.com
Website: www.paws4patients.org
Notes: We have teams that work with children at the Dole Branch Library in Oak Park and the Mann School, also in Oak Park.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Organization: Paws & Effect, Des Moines
Contact Name: Nicole Shumate
City: Des Moines
State: IA
Phone Number: 515.326.4190
E-mail: NicoleShumate@yahoo.com
Notes: We currently read to children at Orchard Place and Child Serve.
Organization: Paws & Effect, Iowa City
Contact Name: Maggie Winegarden
City: Iowa City
State: IA
Phone Number: 319.354.1104
E-mail: Winegarden@ptmlaw.com
Notes: We have a R.E.A.D. program at Lemme Elementary.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Shirley May May, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details including exact locations, dates and cost, please contact Shirley at (913) 681-6831 or maymayluvsdals@sbcglobal.net.
Organization: Mo-Kan Pet Partners
Contact Name: Shirley May May, R.E.A.D. Instructor
City: Overland Park
State: KS
E-mail: maymayluvsdals@sbcglobal.net
Notes: There are currently nine R.E.A.D. members in the Missouri/Kansas area. We service the Johnson County Libraries and Brookridge Elementary School. We work with 1st. and 2nd. grade reluctant readers. Also, ESL (English as a Second Language) students and the handicapped children at Brookridge.
Organization: Pets for Life, Inc.
Contact Name: Mary D. Buford, CVM, Program Director
City: Kansas City Area
State: KS
Phone: 816-363-3665
E-mail: PetsForLife@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.kcpetsforlife.com
Notes: We are currently visiting the Louisburg Public Library for Dog Day Mornings the first Saturday of each month.
Organization: Prairieland Visiting Animals Association
Contact Name: Kathy Schlotterbeck
City: Topeka
State: KS
E-mail: ESchlott@prodigy.net
Website: www.topekavisitingpets.info
Notes: We currently have fifteen R.E.A.D. teams visiting five schools and the Topeka Shawnee County Library.
Organization: Paws To R.E.A.D.®
Contact Name: Rhonda Durham Media Specialist
City: Louisville
State: KY
E-mail: rhonda.durham@jefferson.kyschools.us or ThreeLabsKY@bellsouth.net
Notes: Paws To R.E.A.D. is a supplemental reading program in the library media center at our middle school. Our Paws facilitator is Shyanne, my black Lab.
We would like to have Pen Pals with other R.E.A.D. schools.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Cheryl Johnson, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Cheryl at 318-636-7601 or PAWSforALEXIS@aol.com.
Organization: PAWS to R.E.A.D.®
Contact Name: Cheryl Johnson
City: Shreveport
State: Louisiana
Phone: 318-636-7601
E-mail: PAWSforALEXIS@aol.com
Notes: We visit the following facilities -
Shreve Memorial Library - Broadmoor Branch and the Hamilton Branch
Summerfield Elementary
Shreve Island Elementary
A. C. Steer Elementary
Southern Hills Elementary
Westwood Elementary
Turner Hills Elementary
Sun City Elementary
Arthur Circle Elementary
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Organization: National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Program Name: Capital READ
Contact Name: Michelle Cohen
City: Laurel
State: Maryland
Phone: 301-585-6283
E-mail: michelle@nctdinc.org
Web site: http://www.nctdinc.org
Notes: Capital READ aims to improve children's reading levels by having children read aloud to specially trained dogs. National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc. is currently working to establish Capital READ programs at schools and libraries in the area.
Contact Name: Lynne Robinson
City: Elkton
State: Maryland
Phone Number: 410.398.1711
E-mail: PAWSforPeople@comcast.net
Web: www.PAWSforPeople.org
Notes: We visit the following facilities: The College School, Leach School, Linden Hill Elementary, Townsend elementary, Appoquinimink Library, Brandywine Library, Claymont Library, Kirkwood Highway Library, Newark Library and New Castle Library.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Christiana Melton and Pat Howes, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. For complete details including exact location, dates and cost, please go to www.masspetpartners.org.
Organization: Massachusetts Pet Partners, Inc. - an Affiliate of Delta Society Pet Partners
Program Name: Paws to R.E.A.D.®
Contact Name: Christiana Melton
City: North Andover
State: Massachusetts
Web site: www.masspetpartners.org
Notes: Starting R.E.A.D. programs in select libraries and schools.
Organization: Paws to R.E.A.D.® Listening Dogs
Contact names: Kaki Almirall and Kathleen Miller
Cities: Saginaw, Bay City and Midland
State: Michigan
E-mail: allbert@aol.com
Notes: Our Paws to R.E.A.D. program is almost three years old. We visit schools, libraries and women's centers in three counties. One of the classrooms we visit weekly, raised money for a local search and rescue group by having a reading marathon. One child alone read 1,000 pages!
Organization: Peninsula Community Library
Contact Name: Vicki Shurly and Paula Kelley
City: Traverse City
State: MI
Phone: 231-223-7700
E-mail: Bear@Voyager.net
Notes: Peninsula Community Library has a new staff member - Bear, our official R.E.A.D. dog! Bear reads with children at Old Mission Peninsula Elementary School, as well as assisting children in the library. He has also formed a special company with the 6th grade class - the Be Excited About Reading Company (or BEAR, Inc.) - to help them with persuasive writing and reading analysis. Bear also does many special programs at the library - call for dates & times!
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops to be held regularly (every 6-8 weeks) and are taught by Nancy Brooks and Patti Anderson, licensed R.E.A.D. instructors. For complete details, including exact location, time, and cost, please contact Nancy at kdcbrooks@hotmail.com or Patti at SiberPA@aol.com.
Organization: Animal Ambassadors Reading Fun (AARF)
Contact Name: Nancy Brooks
City: Minneapolis
State: Minnesota
E-mail: kdcbrooks@hotmail.com
Notes: AARF is a subset of the broader therapy animal program, Animal
Ambassadors, at the Animal Humane Society in Minneapolis. They currently
have reading programs in several different library systems, elementary
schools, and bookstores. And, while they currently have over 54 teams,
they're always looking for more to help out with all the requests.
Organization: Arrowhead Library System
Contact Name: Rebecca Patton, Public Library Consultant
City: Mountain Iron
State: Minnesota
Phone Number: (218) 741-3840
E-mail: rpatton@arrowhead.lib.mn.us
Notes: "Read Aloud: Dog Days at your Library" is an LSTA pilot project.
The following public libraries are participating -
Babbitt, Buhl, Cloquet, Coleraine, Eveleth, Hoyt Lakes, International Falls, Marble, Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Virginia
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Shirley May May, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details including exact locations, dates and cost, please contact Shirley at (913) 681-6831 or maymayluvsdals@sbcglobal.net.
Organization: Mo-Kan Pet Partners
Contact Name: Shirley May May, R.E.A.D. Instructor
City: Kansas City Area
State: MO
E-mail: maymayluvsdals@sbcglobal.net
Notes: There are currently nine R.E.A.D. members in the Missouri/Kansas area. We service the Johnson County Libraries and Brookridge Elementary School. We work with 1st. and 2nd. grade reluctant readers. Also, ESL (English as a Second Language) students and the handicapped children at Brookridge.
Organization: Pets for Life, Inc.
Contact Name: Mary D. Buford, CVM, Program Director
City: Kansas City Area
State: KS
Phone: 816-363-3665
E-mail: PetsForLife@sbcglobal.net
Website: Http://www.kcpetsforlife.com
Notes: We are currently visiting the Louisburg Public Library for Dog Day Mornings the first Saturday of each month.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Nancy Rosen, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Nancy at 406-522-7220 or NRosen@bresnan.net.
Organization: Intermountain Therapy Animals
Contact Name: Nancy Rosen
City: Bozeman
State: Montana
Phone: 406-522-7220
E-mail: NRosen@bresnan.net
Notes: Our R.E.A.D. teams visit numerous facilities in the Intermountain West. To see a full listing go to ITA R.E.A.D. Listing
Contact Name: Carla Prinkki
City: Red Lodge
State: Montana
Phone Number: (406) 446-1231
E-mail: foxcollies@aol.com
Notes: We visit the following facilities -
Mountain View Elementary
Parmly Library
City: Omaha
Notes: We visit locations in the Omaha Metro Area. For more information, please feel free to contact us any time.
Organization: Paws Up! Certified Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Program Name: PawsUp! for R.E.A.D.ing
Contact Name: Vikki O'Hara, M.Div. - Co-President & R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Street Address: 2401 South 79th Street
City: Lincoln
State: Nebraska 68506
Phone Number: 402.580.0444
E-mail: nebraskapawsup@hotmail.com
Notes: Total number of R.E.A.D. Registered Teams: 23
PawsUp! provides therapy dogs services in the Lincoln, Omaha, York, and Grand Island areas of Nebraska, and surrounding communities. PawsUp! for R.E.A.D.ing works with Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln City Libraries, Omaha Public Libraries, Lincoln Community Learning Centers, and various other public and private programs and schools.
Organization: Pawsitive Reading Partners
City: Columbus
State: Nebraska
E-mail: rehoste@megavision.com
Notes: We visit the Columbus Public Library and Shell Creek Elementary School.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held on an as-needed basis and are taught by Polly Sarsfield, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Polly at 775-832-0796.
Organization: Intermountain Therapy Animals
Contact Name: Polly Sarsfield
City: Incline Village
State: Nevada
Phone: 775-832-0796
E-mail: PSarsfield@washoe.k12.nv.us
Notes: Our R.E.A.D. teams visit numerous facilities in the Intermountain West. To see a full listing go to ITA R.E.A.D. Listing
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Maureen Ross, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost of the next workshop, please contact Maureen at 603-635-3647 or dogtalk@adelphia.net.
Organization: New England Pet Partners
Contact Name: Maureen Ross, MA
Street Address: 24 Tenney Road
City: Pelham
State: New Hampshire
Phone Number: (603) 635-DOGS (3647)
E-mail: dogtalk@adelphia.net
Web Site: www.newenglandpetpartners.org
Notes: Please visit our website for more information on our teams & programs.
Organization: Luckdragon's Angels Pet Therapy Group
Contact Name: Lynn Marie Millette
Street Address: 331 Shirley Hill Road
City: Goffstown
State: New Hampshire 03045
Phone Number: (603) 497-3105
E-mail: info@luckdragonsangels.org
Web Site: www.luckdragonsangels.org
Notes: Luckdragons's Angels' R.E.A.D. program, "Books and Bow-wows" visits the Goffstown Library and Londonderry Middle School.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held on an as-needed basis and are taught by Anita Lupcho, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Anita at alupcho@vineland.lib.nj.us.
Organization: Vineland Public Library
Program Name: Puppy Tales
Contact: Anita Lupcho
City: Vineland
State: NJ
E-mail: alupcho@vineland.lib.nj.us
Website: www.vineland.lib.nj.us - go to "Events" - go to "Puppy Tales"
Notes: Teams must also pass the AKC CGC test to participate in Puppy Tales.
Most sessions are conducted at Vineland Library but we will do outreach if site is local.
Organization: Gold Star Animals Helping People
Contact Name: Sandra Miller
City: Arroyo Hondo
State: New Mexico
Phone: 505-758-0123
E-mail: artstone@aol.com
Website: www.GoldStarAnimalsHelpingPeople.com
Notes: we currently visit the Taos Public Library and Taos Elementary School
Organization: Tales of Joy
Address: PO Box 44244
City: Rio Rancho
State: New Mexico 87124
Phone Number: (505) 463-3626
Contacts: Liz Adkins (505) 839-9240 adkinsliz@hotmail.com
Theresa McKinney (505) 463-3626 tmckinney@rrdo.rrps.k12.nm or cool_labs@yahoo.com
Notes: Tales of Joy is the "umbrella" group, of which the Tales of Joy R.E.A.D. Program is the primary activity. However, Tales of Joy members may visit nursing homes, hospitals, juvenile detention facilities, etc. The Tales of Joy R.E.A.D. Program is affiliated with the Rio Rancho Public School system. Dogs are certified by Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Organization: Therapaws
Contact Name: Charlene Curry
City: Las Cruces
Phone: 575-524-2026
Fax: 575-526-3309
Cell: 505-642-2259
Email: jackcurry@totacc.com
Notes: Therapaws visits nursing homes, the local hospital and rehabilitation hospital, and classrooms for developmentally disabled students in our public schools. We are looking for volunteers for our new R.E.A.D. program.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED:
Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are given by Judy Audevard and also Risa Hoag, licensed R.E.A.D. instructors. The next scheduled workshop will be held on October 11, 2008 (8:45 AM to 2:00 PM). For complete details on the workshop, please contact Risa Hoag at VPPHumaneEd@aol.com or visit the Hudson Valley Visiting Pets Program website at http://www.HudsonValleyVisitingPets.com.
Contact Name: Judy Audevard
City: Nyack
State: New York
Notes: We do R.E.A.D. programs at the Hastings Public Library, Pearl River Library and Tappan Library. Additionally, we have a “Read to Kizzy” program as part of the after school enrichment program in the Nanuet School District. We are recruiting more teams and would be very happy to hear from you!
Program Name: R.E.A.D.® with Mudge
Contact Name: Rebecca Schosha
City: New York
State: New York
Phone: 212-621-0252
E-mail: RSchosha@nypl.org
Notes: Pilot program was a great success and we now have multiple teams R.E.A.D.ing!. More R.E.A.D. teams are needed to serve more children.
Organization: Hudson Valley Humane Society (HVHS) Visiting Pet Program
Program Name: Paws for Reading
Contact Name: Risa B. Hoag
City: Valley Cottage
State: New York
Phone: 845-267-8795
E-mail: VPPHumaneEd@aol.com
Website: www.HudsonValleyVisitingPets.com
Notes: HVHS Visiting Pet Program visits several area libraries and schools and offers R.E.A.D. training workshops several times throughout the year. Please check their website for additional information.
Contact Name: Nicole Hirsch
City: Fairport
State: New York
Phone: 585.223.1330 ext 226
E-mail: Hirsch@lollypop.org
Website: www.lollypop.org
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Janet Jones, licensed R.E.A.D. instructor. For complete details, including exact location, time and cost, please contact Janet at jjonesnc@ec.rr.com.
Contact name: Carole Cotler
City: Mathews
State: North Carolina
E-mail: CCotler@carolina.rr.com
Organization: Paws for Reading! a program of Carolina Canines for Service, Inc.
Contact Name: Rick Hairston
City: Wilmington
State: NC
Phone: 910-362-8181
Fax: 910-362-8184
E-mail: info@carolinacanines.org
Website: www.carolinacanines.org
Notes: We visit the following facilities:
Schools
Alderman Elementary
College Park Elementary
Rocky Point Elementary
D.C. Virgo Middle School
Libraries
New Hanover County Library: Downtown, Myrtle Grove and Northeast Branches
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Organization: Angel Paws, Animal Assisted Activities & Therapy
Contact Name: Patti Shanaberg, Founder/Director, Licensed Delta Society Pet Partners Evaluator
City: Newark
State: Ohio
Phone: 740.364.0824
E-mail: AngelPaws@adelphia.net
Notes: Angel Paws is both a Delta Society Pet Partner’s affiliate and R.E.A.D. associate group. Angel Paws/R.E.A.D. provides comprehensive literacy mentoring programs to schools and libraries in the Licking County, Ohio area including Newark Public Library and Kairos Academy a private, not-for-profit school specializing in education of students with learning challenges such as classic dyslexia, SLD and AD/HD.
Contact name: Karin Kirtner
City: Olmsted Township
State: Ohio
E-mail: marina023@aol.com
notes: We volunteer at Olmsted Falls Elementary School and the Elementary School in Bay Village. We work with students in first, second and third grades. This will be our second year.
Contact Name: Kathy Wilson
City: Cincinnati
State: Ohio
E-mail: critterlady@fuse.net
Notes: Gator, Betsy, and I volunteer at Locust Corner Elementary School in the New Richmond School District. This is our second year
working with 1st, 2nd, & 3rd graders.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Barbara Keelen, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost of the next workshop, please contact Barbara at 541-928-7658 or gloria@peak.org.
Organization: Welcome WaggersContact name: Gloria Galvan, Barbara Keelen
City: Albany-Benton County
State: Oregon
Phone Number: 541-928-7658
E-mail: gloria@peak.org
Notes: We visit the following facilities:
Benton County Libraries (Corvallis, Philomath, Monroe)
North Albany Elementary School
Hoover Elementary School
Philomath Middle School
Salem-Roberts School--middle and high alternative schools
Organization: PAAWS (People And Animals Who Serve)
Contact Name: Elaine Pray
City: Eugene
State: Oregon
E-mail: praye@lanecc.edu
Notes: We visit the following facilities - Eugene Public Library Eugene Recreation Services - After School Programs, Summer Camp Programs Barnes & Noble - special events several times a year
R.E.A.D. Workshop
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Location: 963 Broadcast Center, Avoca, PA 18641
Presenters: Carol Dancheck and Helene Skopek
Notes: Pre-registration required. For additional information contact Helene at heidimiss@yahoo.com or 570-814-6078.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Helene Skopek and Carol Dancheck, licensed R.E.A.D. instructors. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Helene at 570-826-0326 or heidimiss@yahoo.com.
Organization: Furry Tails Reading PartnersContact Name: Helene Skopek
City: Wilkes Barre
State: Pennsylvania
Phone Number: 570-826-0326
E-mail: heidimiss@yahoo.com
Notes: We are currently reading Monday evenings at the First Presbyterian Church. During the school year we work with special needs children at Meyers High School. Organization: Furry Tails Reading Partners
Contact Name: Bethann Siteman
City: Laureldale
State: Pennsylvania
Phone Number: 610-683-6116
E-mail: bethannsiteman@yahoo.com
Notes: Program is Tuesday from 3-5 PM at Holy Guardian Angels School.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Mary Ehrhart and Debb Taylor in the Memphis area and Merilee Kelley and Helen Wahl in the Nashville area, all licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Mary Ehrhart at M.Ehrhart1@comcast.net; or Merilee at Merilee@READingPaws.org.
Organization: Mid-South Therapy Dogs - a Delta Society® Affiliate
Program Name: Paws for Reading
Contact Name: Mary Ehrhart
City: Germantown
State: Tennessee
Phone Number: 901-336-0351
E-mail: m.ehrhar1@comcast.net
Web Site:www.midsouththerapydogs.org
Notes: We currently visit the following facilities:
Shady Grove Elementary School, Memphis, TN
Crump Elementary School, Memphis, TN
Central Library, Memphis, TN
Frayser Library, Frayser, TN
Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Memphis, TN
First Regional Library, Herando, MS
Cornelia Crenshaw Library, Memphis, TN
Georgia Avenue Elementary School, Memphis, TN
Organization: READing
Paws® / Middle Tennessee Chapter
Contact Name: >Merilee Kelley
City: Franklin
State: Tennessee
Phone Number: 615.794.5761
E-mail: info@readingpaws.org
Web Site: www.READingPaws.org
Notes: We currently visit the following facilities:
Metro Nashville Schools
Williamson County Schools
Franklin Special Schools
Borders Bookstores
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Susan Bass, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructor. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Susan at SusanTba@yahoo.com.
Organization: Huntsville Pets Helping People. - Delta Society Pet Partners® Affiliate
Contact Name: Diane Carpenter
City: Huntsville
State: Texas
E-mail: HPHP@TOTALZONE.COM
Web site: http://WWW.petshelpingpeople.com
Notes: We visit Scott Johnson Elementary in Huntsville.
Organization: Montgomery Pet Partners, Inc. - an Affiliate of Delta Society Pet Partners
Contact Name: Barbara Kott
City: Montgomery
State: Texas
E-mail: READ@MontgomeryPetPartners.org
Website:www.MontgomeryPetPartners.org
Notes: Montgomery Pet Partners read with children in libraries and schools in Montgomery County. In the school environment, emphasis is placed on reinforcing student goals as specified by the teachers, building confidence, and just making reading fun! R.E.A.D. teams also share their "magic" and contents of their book bags with young patients in area hospitals. When the teams are not R.E.A.D.ing, they are bringing cheer to residents of health care facilities.
Organization: Healing Paws
Contact Name: Patty Bacher
City: Houston
State: Texas
Phone: 281-495-0417
E-mail: JPattyPaws@SBCglobal.net
Notes: We are a group of Delta Pet Partners® who visit Halpin Elementary School, Heartland and Yahweh Mission, along with other healthcare facilities.
Organization: Austin Dog Alliance
Contact Name: Debi Krakar
City: Cedar Park
State: Texas
Phone Number: 512.219.8793
Fax Number: 512.287.4880
Email: Debi@austindogalliance.org
Website: www.Austindogalliance.org
Notes: Bow Wow Reading Dogs
Leander Public Library, AISD
Schools, LISD Schools
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held quarterly and are taught by Kathy Klotz and Karen Burns, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. Our next workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2007 at the ITA offices! For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact the ITA Office at 801-272-3439 or KarenB@therapyanimals.org.
Organization: Intermountain Therapy Animals
Contact Name: Karen Burns
City: Salt Lake City
State: Utah
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: KarenB@therapyanimals.org
Notes: Our R.E.A.D. teams visit numerous facilities in the Intermountain West. To see a full listing go to ITA R.E.A.D.® Listing.
Organization: PAWS for Reading
Contact Name: Karen Odato
City: Randolph, Braintree and Brookfield
State: VT
E-mail: karen.odato@dartmouth.edu
Phone Number: 802-728-9262
Website: www.res.k12.vt.us/paws.html
Notes: We have programs at Randolph, Braintree & Brookfield Elementary Schools and the Kimball Public Library in Randolph.
City: Smith Mountain Lake/Bedford & Franklin Counties
State: Virginia
E-mail: wswg@aol.com
Notes: Currently serving schools and libraries in Bedford County
Organization: Books & Barks R.E.A.D.® Partners
Contact Name: Sally Petty
City: Sperryville
State: Virginia
E-mail: books_n_barks@yahoo.com
Notes: Currently starting our program at the Rappahannock County Library
Organization: Sprite's Hero
Contact Name: Chris Miller
City: Richmond
State: Virginia
E-mail: SpritesHero@aol.com
Notes: Paws to R.E.A.D. program currently visiting: Highland Springs Elementary school and St Joseph's Villa in Henrico County, the Richmond SPCA and Carytown Bookstore in Richmond, Mechanicsville Public library in Hanover County, Powhatan County public library, and Randolph Macon College in Ashland. We have more facilities than we can visit and are always looking for new teams.
REGIONAL WORKSHOP OFFERED: Official R.E.A.D. Workshops are held regularly and are taught by Becky Bishop and Annemarie Kaighin, licensed R.E.A.D. Instructors. For complete details including exact location, time and cost, please contact Becky at Becky@ReadingWithRover.org or visit her website at www.ReadingWithRover.org/. Or you can contact Annemarie at Annemarie@MyPuppyNanny.com.
Organization: PAWS to R.E.A.D.® Pet Partners of Olympia
Contact Name: Cheryl King
City: Olympia
State: Washington
E-mail: snarfandshelby@comcast.net
Notes: We have R.E.A.D. sessions within Timberland Regional Library in Thurston, Lewis, and Mason counties. We support literacy and animal awareness events provided by these counties. Currently, we have 10 teams and are always interested in training new teams.
Organization: R.E.A.D. 2 Sara
Contact Name: Anne Malver
City: Eatonville
State: WA
E-mail: read2sara@yahoo.com
Notes: Sara and I work 2 mornings each week at Weyerhaeuser Elementary School. We are the only ones in the immediate South Pierce County area, and love the work!!
Organization: Reading With Rover®
Contact Name: Becky Bishop
City: Seattle
State: Washington
Phone: 206.384.6151
E-mail: Becky@readingwithrover.org
Website: www.readingwithrover.org
Notes: We have wonderful reading programs through the Seattle area. Our teams volunteer in the Northshore, Washington and Seattle School District. We also visit bookstores, libraries and we have teams visit the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle. We are growing and always looking for new Team Members to join our wonderful program.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Organization: Dogs On Call, Inc.
Contact Name: Polly Cisco
City: Richland Center
State: Wisconsin
Phone: 608.649.3647
E-mail: onewoof@mwt.net
Notes: Serving schools and libraries in Southwestern Wisconsin.
Contact Name: Laura LeRoy
City: Oshkosh
State: WI
E-mail: KalisMom@ameritech.net
Notes: We have a couple of R.E.A.D. teams visiting the Oshkosh Public Library in Oshkosh, WI. We started the program in February 2006, and more kids come each month. They are going to have a six week program this summer called, "Read to a Dog."
Organization: Paws to R.E.A.D. Animal Tales
Contact Name: Lynda Prejna
City: Lake Geneva
State: Wisconsin
Phone: 262-203-5002
E-mail: LPrejna@wi.rr.com
Notes: We are currently working on getting established at the local
Library & School districts.
Organization: Dogs On Call, Inc.
Contact Name: Katie Kunz
City: Madison
State: Wisconsin
Phone: 608-218-6322
E-Mail: kkunz@erdman.com
Notes: We have a group of 8 registered R.E.A.D. teams that are working out of the Sequoia Branch library in Madison and always looking for more locations in Madison where we can share the benefits of R.E.A.D. and strengthening the human-animal bond.
Contact Name: National R.E.A.D. Coordinator
Phone: 801-272-3439
E-mail: read@therapyanimals.org
Notes: For more information on registered R.E.A.D. teams or groups in this state, please contact the ITA office.
Other R.E.A.D.® press and articles
- Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D. ) Frequently Asked Questions
- Libraries and Schools that ITA R.E.A.D. Teams Visit
- "Tails for Tea"
- R.E.A.D. Training Package a Success!
- R.E.A.D. Program - 'Tails From The Field'
- READING IS FUN-DOG-MENTAL
- R.E.A.D. Presentations
- R.E.A.D. Featured on Westminster Dog Show Broadcast
- ITA Wins Major Award
- Purchase a Lucinda pin and support the R.E.A.D. program!
Press and Articles
A page of references to recent press and articles about Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
Links
Links to other Reading Education Assistance Dogs and literacy resources on the Internet.
R.E.A.D. Photos
Photos of Reading Education Assistance Dogs at work.
R.E.A.D.® Program Contacts:
For more information about R.E.A.D., please contact Intermountain Therapy Animals at 801-272-3439