Sit, Stay, Read!
Sit, Stay, Read!* helps reluctant young readers who are performing below grade level to overcome embarrassment and improve skills by reading aloud to calming, motivating therapy animals. Hand in Paw’s specially-trained Therapy Teams make reading a non-threatening and positive learning experience. Because pets accept people without conditions, the human-animal bond creates a relationship free of the stress of judgments and expectations. This program was first conducted in association with libraries and now helps improve literacy skills in other settings as well.
Sit, Stay, Read! has demonstrated significant improvements in children’s attitudes towards reading. This results in improved reading skills, increased interest in reading, and more participation in the classroom. The children gain self-confidence and positive life skills that serve them throughout their lives.
Hand in Paw's Sit, Stay, Read! program is currently improving reading at:
Brock's Gap Intermediate School
Hall-Kent Elementary
Oak Mountain Elementary
North Shelby Library
Rocky Ridge Elementary
South Shades Crest Elementary
Vestavia Hills Elementary Central
YWCA - After School Enrichment Program for Homeless Children
Sit, Stay, Read! is made possible in part by support from Combined Federal Campaign, Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Birmingham Kiwanis Foundation, The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, Target, and Wells Fargo.
*Disclaimer: No association exists between Hand in Paw, an Alabama not-for-profit corporation, and Sit Stay Read Inc., an Illinois corporation, or the services of either entity.
