Wags & Tales Reading Program

Who

Wags & Tales is geared towards emerging readers between the ages of 5-12. However, anyone working to develop enhanced reading skills would benefit from the program.

Where

Parents with children interested in this program should contact one of the libraries listed here and ask how they can pre-register for some special reading time with a therapy or education dog.

Schools or libraries interested in starting a Wags & Tales Reading program, please fill out the form below.

There is no charge for this program.

Details

The Humane Society of Broward County partnered with Broward County Libraries in 2001 and Broward County Public Schools in early 2003 to establish the Wags & Tales Reading Program. Wags & Tales is a research based reading motivation program for children with reading difficulties. Certified Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Education dogs and their handlers visit students at selected schools and libraries to help strengthen reading skills. This program demonstrates how Certified Animal Assisted Therapy and Education dogs and their handlers can be instrumental in improving the literacy skills of children in an effective, unique and, most importantly, fun manner.

Literacy specialists acknowledge that children who are below their peers in reading skills are often intimidated by reading aloud in a group, have lower self-esteem and view reading as a chore. The intent of this program is to have the children read to the therapy animals. The dogs do not comment on inflection, interrupt to correct mistakes, laugh at mispronunciations or make fun if the reader stutters or wears glasses. Our Wags & Tales Reading program allows children to read and learn in a non-judgmental environment.

For in-depth information about our Wags & Tales Reading Program, empirical support, implementation suggestions, etc. please refer to our Wags & Tales Manual. 

Please make sure you have read the Manual and have the approval of either the head librarian or school principal prior to putting in a request.