Angel Paws
Page# 2 of 2
4/3/07
“Puppy Tales” Creates Pawsitive Reading at Newark Public Library
Dogs in the library? Yes, but these are not just ordinary dogs!
Newark Public Library is collaborating with specially trained Angel Paws therapy dogs and handlers to launch a new six-week program designed to help kids discover the joy of books by reading aloud to dogs. “Puppy Tales” with Angel Paws/R.E.A.D.® will debut on Saturday, March 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the children’s department at Newark Public Library, 101 West Main Street, Newark. The program will continue for 6 consecutive Saturday afternoons through April 15.
Elementary school children are invited to pre-register for personalized, private 20 minute sessions to read aloud to one of four trained and insured Angel Paws animal/handler R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®) teams. Children who complete 3 sessions will receive a certificate of completion and be awarded the privilege of adopting a plush Boomer toy dog (retails for $12.99) free of charge. (Boomer is the Golden Retriever featured in a series of children’s books written by Constance W. McGeorge.) To pre-register, please call the Children’s Department at 740.349.5550.
One common denominator between students who get good grades is a self- proclaimed love of reading. “Puppy Tales” with Angel Paws/R.E.A.D.® is an innovative program that will promote reading for pleasure to children who may need some encouragement to boost confidence and improve communication skills. Dogs present themselves with no agenda – no pretense, no holding back and, best of all, no judgment or ridicule.
Intermountain Therapy Animals’ Reading Education Assistance DogsÒ (R.E.A.D.Ò) began in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1999. It effectively incorporates therapy animals into a literacy mentoring program for children. Researcher Aaron Katcher found that a healthy therapeutic environment is created by the presence of an animal because it draws attention outward, reduces anxiety, creates safety, intimacy and increases positive expectations of both self and others. A scientific study by Karen Allen proved that the presence of a dog lowers the blood pressure of children reading aloud.
Patti Shanaberg, Angel Paws’ Founder/Director, received a scholarship to attend Intermountain Therapy Animals 1st Reading Rendezvous’ conference and Reading Education Assistance DogsÒ Instructors Training workshop held in Salt Lake City in July of 2005. “It’s a privilege to introduce the experience, inspiration and quality standards of the R.E.A.D.Ò program to our dedicated volunteers here in Newark,” reports Shanaberg, “We’re especially thrilled to partner with Newark Public Library to provide an opportunity for a wide variety of children in Licking County to benefit from this progressive program.”
Angel Paws is an all volunteer Delta Society Pet PartnersÒ and Reading Education Assistance DogsÒ affiliate group and the first and only such organization in Licking County to offer comprehensive therapeutic health care visitation and R.E.A.D.Ò literacy mentoring programs.
- MORE -
All Angel Paws animal-handler volunteers are registered with Delta Society Pet PartnersÒ, the largest and only internationally recognized, standards based, training and registration program for volunteers, professionals, pets and facilities participating in animal assisted activities and therapy. As registered Pet PartnersÒ all Angel Paws animal/handler volunteers carry a $100,000,000. primary liability insurance policy. In order to become a registered Angel Paws Pet Pet PartnerÒ or R.E.A.D.Ò literacy mentoring team extensive training is required.
Angel Paws has trained and registered 28 animal/handler therapy teams and 6 R.E.A.D.® teams since it’s inception in 2003. The Angel Paws/R.E.A.D.Ò program premiered locally at Kairos Academy in Newark last summer and was well received by students, staff and parents. Angel Paws hopes to introduce “Puppy Tales”/R.E.A.D.Ò into the public school system at a later date. Angel Paws therapeutic health care visitation program currently serves Shepherd Hill Behavioral Health, a Department of Licking Memorial Hospital; Flint Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation; and Autumn Health Care.
The Newark Public Library has been serving Newark and Licking County since 1908. Today, there are six convenient location, including: the Main Library in downtown Newark; Emerson R. Miller branch in west Newark; Hervey Memorial in Utica; Hebron Library; Buckey lake Library; and the Mary E. Babcock Library in Johnstown. A bookmobile provides outreach services throughout Licking County.
# # # #
Angel Paws
Page# 2 of 2
4/3/07
CONTACT:
Peggy Sell
Marketing Communications Director
Newark Public Library
101 West Main Street
Newark, OH 43055-5054
740.349.5541 (voice)
740.349.5535 (fax)
(e-mail)
www.npls.org (web-site)
CONTACT:
Patti Shanaberg
Founder/Director
Angel Paws
1280 Hillview Circle W.
Newark, OH 43055
740.364.0824 (voice)
740.501.1866 (cell)
740.364.0178 (fax)
(e-mail)