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ITA's R.E.A.D.® Founders, Sandi Martin & Olivia, Honored by Utah Governor Mike Leavitt

On March 13, 2001, ITA Board member Sandi Martin and her Pet Partner Olivia were honored with Governor Mike Leavitt's Point of Light Award #18 for their work in founding ITA's Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.®) program. An idea that literally came to her in the middle of the night, R.E.A.D. merges Sandi's passion for both books and animals and her desire to introduce those joys to children who have been struggling to master the basic skill of reading. In addition to her career position as Manager of Community Outreach and Volunteer Services for University of Utah Hospital and her work as an ITA board member, Sandi is also a Friend of the Salt Lake City Library. Sandi and Olivia volunteer weekly as an ITA R.E.A.D. team at the Bennion Elementary School, along with Kathy McNulty and Kiyoshi. Their skills have made a significant difference for the children they have worked with there. Sandi was also profiled by Peter Jennings on his continuing series "21st Century Lives," during the national ABC News broadcast on October 27, 2000. Congratulations to Sandi and Olivia!

Created: May 16, 2001 by Intermountain Therapy Animals

Other R.E.A.D.® press and articles

Other R.E.A.D.® News and Information

bullet   The R.E.A.D. Brochure
Download the R.E.A.D. brochure here (Adobe Acrobat, 117 KB)

bullet   The R.E.A.D. Training Package

bullet  Press and Articles
A page of references to recent press and articles about Reading Education Assistance Dogs.

bullet  Links
Links to other Reading Education Assistance Dogs and literacy resources on the Internet.

bullet  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