Page 47 - EdViewptsSpring2017

Year One Additional Benefits photographers who specialized in
The Basic Skills Intervention Canine Being a school that supports the ASCD dog photography. Our middle school
teachers also had Murphy visit to
Assisted Reading Enhancement (BSI Whole Child Initiative, we are always be a part of their literacy classes.
CARE) started in 2015 in my school looking for creative means to engage Students were on their best behavior
district. Students were identified by the and support our students. In addition, when the dogs were in their classes.
basic skills teacher, Jennifer Dieckmann, we also have a reading incentive
and were recommended by their class- program, Tails for Tales, so that all Starting Your Program
room teacher to work with an English students can read to our dogs —
Spaniel named Kalee and her owner, more than 10,000 minutes so far. If you would like to build a literacy
Sandy Everly. Everly, a former teacher, Bringing a dog to your school can have program in your school, it is crucial to
visited the school to meet with the read- surprising benefits beyond literacy. have buy-in. Our elementary principal,
ing team and learn tips and strategies When our dogs walk through the halls, Kathy Murphy, did not hesitate to
for assisting struggling readers. Parents they are treated like celebrities and agree to give this program a try, and
were notified and gave permission for have “pawsitively” impacted school she has been a great proponent of
students to participate. In the first year, climate. Our students have learned having canine friends in her school.
our students were scheduled to read to the proper way to meet a dog, and Next, you will want to check with your
Kalee once per month for approximately all students ask the handlers before school board policies. Finally, you
10 minutes. approaching the animals. Adults alike will need to work with a reputable
Promising results occurred in year one. enjoy seeing the visitors and always therapy dog organization to ensure
the handlers and animals are vetted
Two groups of BSI first graders were stop to give a pet or say hello to the and have been through a rigorous
monitored, 13 read with the dog and dogs and handlers. Our school is a training and maintenance program.
15 did not. The students who read with little bit happier when the dogs are We had little to no cost associated
the dog showed a higher average of on site. During a time of crisis at our with the program as the handlers are
levels attained in Fountas and Pinnell school this year, our handlers made covered under the umbrella of the
Guided Reading levels (See Table 1). themselves available to support our organization’s insurance. Our high
Additionally, the students in the dog students and staff during the grieving school graphic arts teacher created a
group attained more than double of the process. The animals have been part logo for us at no cost, and we had a
Fry word growth than their peers who of lock down drills, making the drill a local business make us t-shirts.
did not regularly read to the dog during calmer experience in their presence.
the same time frame of January to April. They really have met many needs In this age of shrinking school budgets,
that we didn’t know we had. AAT is a program addition that you
Year Two Our high school/middle school also can coordinate that won’t affect your
Another year brought the addition of participated in their own way with our bottom line. Having dogs at your school
will bring smiles to the faces of your
another dog, Murphy, whose handler therapy dogs. The high school pho- students and staff members alike. To
was also a retired teacher. In our tography teacher invited Murphy, our quote a bumper sticker that I love, “We
second year starting in September, 90 pound Golden Retriever, into her need more wag and less bark.”
we were able to add Murphy to the classroom for several photo shoots
schedule, and now students read when her students were studying
twice a month to a therapy dog. This
additional one-on-one time has helped Table 1 - Student Literacy Growth with and without the AAI
the students have a positive outlook 2015-16 Students Fry Word Average Increase Reading Level Growth
on reading as noted in research by
leRoux (2014). Additionally, they Dog n=13 33.00 4.77
have written letters and cards to the No Dog n=15 15.06 4.53
dogs, increasing their literacy skills in
all areas. The second year brought
one hundred percent participation by Table 2 - Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level Growth in Year Two
students in grade one BSI. The number
of students reading on grade level 8
steadily climbed each month to close 6
the achievement gap (See Table 2).
Students were successfully exited in 4
January if they met the targeted level
expected by the end of first grade. 2
0
Oct Nov Dec January
Actual Desired

Educational Viewpoints -45- Spring 2017