WISE TAILS
To help build confidence and self-esteem through literacy
Youth literacy programs encourage children to enjoy reading, helps them develop the skills needed to succeed, and improves their self-esteem and confidence. Research shows that a child’s reading fluency can increase 12-30% simply through the calm presence of a domesticated animal while reading.
One of the biggest challenges for young children learning to read is the embarrassment of making mistakes in the presence of their peers. Many of the animal organizations we provide books to offer shelter reading programs for emerging readers through special events and after-school programs. Children have a natural affinity for animals so reading about them keeps their interest. And, reading to dogs provides a simple solution -- a comforting furry friend who "listens" and takes the pressure off a child if they stumble.
In addition to shelter reading programs, Tails That Teach partners with many literacy programs across the country including SitStayRead, Reach Out and Read, Pet Partners, Paws and Think, Paws to Heal, BARK Reading Therapy Dogs, and Intermountain Therapy Animals.
Tails That Teach also works with organizations such as The United Way and Boys and Girls Clubs to provide books for their back-to-school backpack programs. Each child receives a backpack with necessary schools supplies along with one of our books to provide the child a jump start on reading.
For more information about our book donation program, please contact us at info@tailsthatteach.org.
Reading with purpose…
Tails That Teach donates books to youth literacy programs that incorporate therapy dogs as an innovative method to help elementary school children improve their reading skills while learning about kind care.
“By sitting down next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog and focuses on the reading. ”
“Thank you for your generous donation of books for our program. Eyes open wide, smiles materialize, and faces light up at the sight of their new book. The books help encourage language development as well as literacy in our children. ”