Norwester Readers Inc

Nor'wester Readers therapy dog teams enhance the educational environment and improve student learning through the use of therapy dogs.

Nor'wester Readers Canine Assisted Learning Program  uses registered therapy dogs to enhance the educational environment so  that children are motivated to work on their reading, writing, and  communication skills. In addition, our therapy dogs are also working  with school guidance counselors and psychologists to support students  with social and emotional needs.

Dogs  are ideal reading and learning companions because they help increase  relaxation, listen attentively, do not judge, laugh, or criticize, allow  children to proceed at their own pace, and are less intimidating than  the students' peers.

Therapy  dog handlers/volunteers work with students individually or in small  groups under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher. The  handler is a skilled facilitator, shifting performance pressure off the  child and providing support as the child receives supervised reading  practice necessary to build vocabulary, increase comprehension, and gain  fluency as a reader. Unmotivated readers and learners gain motivation,  confidence, and discover the joys of becoming a life-long reader and  learner at the side of their therapy dog.