Community Leaders

Platinum

Hicks Construction

 Gold

Silver

• Krakar Family  
• Liguori Family - Sponsors of the Adoption Meeting Room
• Elaine Caplan of Capital Area Veterinary Specialists - Sponsors of Main Conference Room
• Legacy Lighting

Bronze

• Laura Wright Corporate Communications 
• Nancy McIntire & Andy Nietupski
• Land Interactive
• Organic + Nursery
• Rhoads Family
• Travassa (Resort and Spa)

Big Dog

• Acme Brick
• Edward Christians
• Lauren & Mike Conrad
• Dr. Susan Culp
• Lynn Powell
• Cindy Tincher

 Classic Canine

• Heather Allard
• Baer Engineering
• Cuteri Family
• Jennifer Dragotta
• Krystal Hagan
• Larissa & Tyler Mosley
• Nulo 
• Miller Blueprint
• Molly O'Halloran, Inc. (Graphic and Map Design)
• Allison Thrash (singer)
• Mark & Tricia Traeger
• Pam & Ed Quinn

Friend

• Andrus Family
• Suzanne Ashlock
• Janet Bied
• Byrum Family
• Lisa Cannon
• Carroll Family
• Christman Family
• Debra Dennett
• Drake Family
• Carla Elmore
• Glidden Paint
• Kathleen Greer
• Guan Family
• Trish Harris
• Sheryl Hays
• Honish Family
• Hornish Family
• Langenfeld Family
• Kim Little
• John Loftis
• Cyndi Lessard
• Kathleen Majcher
• Gail March
• Macho Marketing
• Kitty McKenzie
• John Melton
• Samuel Douglas Miller
• Miller Blueprint
• Jack and Marcia Mosley
• Mike Moore
• Seeman Family
• Nikki Stromp
• Windham Family
• Scott Winn

 Our Sponsor Recognition page is regularly updated - Join the cause to support this project and improve the lives of individuals, families, pets, and special-needs learners in our community!

READING AND RELAXING

For 15 minutes a week, students in the ADA Bow Wow Reading Program sit next to Callie and read. The students may read below grade-level, have trouble reading aloud, or experience some other reading challenge, but each one only cares about getting their one-on-one time with sweet, smiling Callie.

Researchers have found that simply being around dogs can lower people's blood pressure and slow heart rates, generally reducing anxiety. Students who struggle with reading are aware that their reading skills aren't equal to their peers, which can create a vicious cycle of anxiety that strikes anytime they approach a book. But when Callie stretches out on her stomach, or snuggles up to a student's leg, or just snoozes nearby, "the students are enjoying the experience of reading instead of dreading it".1 

In fact, 2010-2011 studies at Tufts University and the University of California, Davis found that children who read to dogs experienced improvement in their reading scores and their attitudes toward reading.

CONFIDENCE BREEDS CONFIDENCE

Students and volunteers involved in the ADA Bow Wow Reading program often find their confidence strengthened.  Students sit up a little taller to scratch Callie's ears and read a little louder (to make sure Callie hears the best part).  Time spent with Callie helped one first-grader move from 50-word early readers to armfuls of chapter books, and one parent reported to Henegar that since participating in the program, "she had seen a remarkable change in [her son] at home. He was reading everything and his self-esteem had soared."

"Thank You" card to Callie from a student

Becoming a Bow Wow Reading team can also foster confidence.  Henegar found that "if [Callie] could feel I was nervous, it made her feel the same way. If I went in talking to her, encouraging her, and praising her, she would do anything to please me!" With a positive attitude and confidence in the training she and Callie received from ADA, Henegar trusts "that Callie can learn to do anything."

PERSISTENCE PAYS

For a student, reading is not a skill acquired in 15 minutes a week or even perfected in one school year. It is a lifelong process that grows with every book, every lesson, and every test of abilities. It is the same for becoming a Bow Wow Reading team. Callie was not born a therapy dog and Henegar was not an experienced dog trainer.  "[Callie] was very outgoing and full of spunk," but also very "young and exuberant!" says Henegar. In fact, the first time Callie and Henegar took the Pet Partner's evaluation at ADA, they did not pass the level required for the Bow Wow Reading Program. But after six months of encouragement, focus and practice, they passed successfully and have been helping students for the last six years.

THE COMMUNITY CARES

The demand for more Bow Wow Reading dogs in Austin-area schools and libraries is evidence that students, teachers, librarians, and parents have seen results with the ADA Bow Wow Reading Program. Every school that currently has a program, across six districts, has a list of teachers wanting their own Callie to help their students. Fifteen schools are waiting just for a chance to see their very first furry friend in an ADA Pet Therapy vest.

The hours Bow Wow Reading Program volunteers spend training, preparing, traveling, and reading is generously donated time. But the professional training classes, Pet Partners testing, and administrative aspects of the program require funding.  If you want to send Bow Wow Reading dogs to more schools, please consider making a secure online donation to Austin Dog Alliance.  If you want to turn yourself and your friendly pet into a Bow Wow Reading team, learn more about the pet therapy training program at Austin Dog Alliance.

REFERENCE

1 "Read FAQ." Read FAQ. Intermountain Therapy Animals, n.d. Web. 17 July 2012.