Page 46 - EdViewptsSpring2017

There’s a Dog in My School!

Improving Literacy (and Climate)

With Animal-Assisted Learning

By Dr. Tabitha Bradley, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction,

Kenilworth Public Schools

Man’s best friend is taking level. What started as a canine reading goal (Dell, et al., 2015). AAI’s have been
program to motivate students to read studied to observe the benefits to stu-
on a new role in classrooms evolved into a secondary program that dent participants. Documented benefits
across the country. Animal- supported struggling readers. to children include lowered stress (Daltry
Assisted Interventions (AAI) have Literature Review & Mehr, 2015), lowered blood pressure
gleaned the attention of educators as (leRoux, Swartz, & Swart, 2014), and
a means of engaging students. We In the 2015 issue of NJPSA’s Education- increased self-esteem (Friesen, 2012).
are now taking a closer look at the al Viewpoints, Lenore Kingsmore shared Additionally, Jolongo found that the use
impact of these interventions to support her experience with Pet Therapy in her of AAI helped with accuracy, motivation,
struggling readers, increase motivation, Monmouth County district (2015). This and control of students with disruptive
and decrease costs associated with article inspired the program at Harding behaviors (2004). Emerging literature on
support services if students are not Elementary. An additional review of the benefits of handlers and their impact
reading on grade level. Arriving at the literature was conducted. Animal on expressive language with increased
Harding Elementary, staff members Assisted Interventions (AAI) include communication and verbalization is
were worried about the large number of therapies that use animals for thera- another area of importance (Dell, et
first grade students reading below grade peutic use with an identified treatment al., 2015).

Educational Viewpoints -44- Spring 2017