Can Dogs Read? Starting and Implementing a Literacy Program

by Tanya Sousa

A how-to book on starting and implementing a reading dog program in schools. The book covers topics such as where to find a reading dog team or how to train and certify your own dog for this work in schools, dealing with the common questions and concerns of skeptics, and fun activities and PR activities to enrich the program. One chapter is dedicated to how the program can build empathy in young children.

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Tanya grew up in Northern Vermont and spent her childhood searching for partridge eggs, catching frogs, and taking sojourns with the family dog. She turned nearly every school assignment into a chance to write a story and had to be pulled away from reading time – the books of course being animal-related tales.
She holds a BFA in Writing and was a licensed Guidance Counselor for years; most of her career has officially been in human services, community development, and counseling children, but everything she does involves writing and animals whenever possible. For instance, she worked with therapy dogs in the school setting and then wrote a book about it, donating close to a thousand copies across Vermont and then the country.
Tanya is a prolific freelance writer and has published in “Vermont Magazine”, “The Canine Chronicle”, and “Northern Woodlands” among other magazines, and had creative nonfiction stories in A Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers and many Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.
Three of her children’s books have been published with Radiant Hen Publishing, the stories focusing on encouraging the idea of growing your own food and sustainable living. Her recent novel for young adults and adults, "The Starling God", was tapped for the short-list of the national Green Earth Book Awards.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I must thank goodreads for this first read give away!


Where was this program when my children were in grammar school? I love the whole idea. Tanya Sousa has the vision to show how a simple lovable dog can get parents student and the whole school family involved. As a dog rescuer I know their deep effect loving and cuddling a dog can make a difference. Many low income family's can not afford the luxury of a pet. This program allows the child to see a pet as a companion for reading and life. As a retired person with time I can not wait to get started on a program in my school district. The school district was thinking about this however the budget played in to the decision to wait.

I am now recruiting volunteers from my senior center for a literacy program. Thank you Tanya Sousa.