spcaLA's Cultured Canines:
Teaching Kids to Read One Child at a Time
Los Angeles - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) has launched PAWS to Read, a new children's literacy program, part of the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) program. spcaLA and the Redondo Beach Public Library (303 N Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277) welcome the media to visit the PAWS to Read program on Saturday, August 2nd or Friday August 8th at 10:30am.
Through PAWS to Read, children practice their reading skills by reading to a therapy dog in 15-minute sessions. "Dogs in the program help children overcome their fears by providing an attentive, uncritical, non-intimidating ear," says spcaLA president Madeline Bernstein, "The kids are then free to proceed at their own pace, leaving with a positive reading association." PAWS to Read utilizes certified spcaLA AAT dogs who have been trained and tested for health, safety, and temperament. PAWS to Read not only encourages literacy, but also strengthens the human-animal bond at an early age.
The program has already been implemented at the Redondo Beach Public Library on alternating Fridays and Saturdays with great success and is available for other libraries throughout LA County.
To set up an interview, or to confirm filming on either Saturday August 2nd or Friday August 8th, please contact Mark Cirillo at (323) 730-5300, x253 or (323) 707-1271 or by email at mcirillo@spcaLA.com .
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spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services include Cruelty Investigation, the Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services. |
