Paws & Think is very excited to announce that we are now an affiliate of R.E.A.D.®! With similar missions and philosophies in the use of therapy animals, this worldwide organization provides Paws & Think a stronger foundation for training our teams who work with youth in our “Paws to Read” programs.
R.E.A.D. members 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. Through R.E.A.D., the handlers are trained as skilled facilitators, prepared to help the child gain confidence, improve reading and communication skills, social skills and develop a love of reading. With the dog, handlers are able to shift performance pressure off the child. Their mission and goals in this program share such a synchronicity with those of Paws & Think in assisting youth with our “Paws to Read” programs, that affiliating was a natural step to take our program to a higher level and provide greater consistency within our teams.
