Thanks to your generous donations, we are able to run the Paws & Think Paws to Read Program in 10 schools and 15 public libraries in and around Indianapolis this school year. We served 78 students on a regular basis in our school programs and roughly 1600 children in our library programs. Our Paws to Read Program has a significant impact on the youth who participate in it.
Last year, Paws & Think therapy team Jean and Feathers volunteered on a weekly basis at IPS 46, Daniel Webster Elementary. One of the students they worked with was a selective mute who was very distrusting of strangers. On Jean and Feathers’ first day, the student wouldn’t come more than a few steps into the room. She stood at the door and Jean read a story to Feathers while the student listened from across the room. Each week, the student ventured further into the room until she eventually sat next to Jean and Feathers to read bits and pieces of a book. Even though she had a teaching aid with her throughout the entire process, she was able to gain enough confidence to practice reading out loud by the end of the school year. That student ended up growing three reading levels from the beginning to the end of the year.
Although we’ve had to change our programs due to Covid-19, we are still providing support for these schools and story times three days a week. We need your help to continue this programming. Please donate today for #givingtuesdaynow and help a kid fall in love with reading. pawsandthink.org/donate
