Rescue Readers

Program Overview

Our organization's primary focus is to increase our reach and support within our community through a variety of programs, specifically those related to literacy and mental health. Rescue Readers, which partners with several libraries in the area to promote reading in children and adolescents. We do this by creating stations with the dog. The main station is reading to a puppy of choice a book that is on their level and has a high degree of interest, to the child and the dog. Another station is where the children get to train the dogs with basic commands, sit, down, stay and leash control. Another station is the necessary one but only for focus. This station allows the children to actually play with, pet, cuddle, giggle, laugh, etc. since if this is not built into the program, they would never be still enough to read. In our development and observations, we discovered not only do the fluency rates increase, so do critical thinking, safety, collaboration, presence, confidence, and vocal control all increase through the time spent. We have come to realize many of the children we serve, lack one or more of these components.

The participants are provided with immersive learning experiences where they can interact with professionals who are trained certified teachers. Our program helps the children increase positive reading experiences unlike the classroom can provide. This is extremely important for children to get a positive feeling in the interaction with reading material. This is important because reading fluency is the basis of all communication. Crucial for success is the ability to read someone else's perspective and information on matters that require communication. Reading information on equipment or training and reading just for the pure enjoyment of exercising the mind. Students can apply these skills to everyday lives and remain safely aware of ways to approach animals.

Chelsea's Chariot Rescue Readers is passionate about addressing the literacy levels in our community because we want to equip people with skills to be successful. We understand that a good foundational platform with opportunities to engage children and seniors will help all lives improve. I would like to thank you for your consideration and providing organizations like ours with opportunities to made a difference in the community.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

We had a student that was an emerging reader who had past experiences that were not positive. When he would try to sound out words in front of the others, he heard snickering and such which led him to decide reading was not his game. When he entered our program, he was immersed immediately with the dogs and on his decision, chose to select a book to read to one of the puppies.

Obviously, this guy was not a vocal guy with a very soft and timid voice. After spending time reading, he was allowed to “teach" some commands to the puppy. Simple commands, sit, stay, down, that need to be spoken with authority. By the end of the summer program, this child had not only grown a more authoritative voice and posture, was reading at a level to where he was past sounding words out to actually listening and decoding with little issues.

We have experienced similar improvement with the older generations. By allowing the folks to love on and be loved on by a puppy, moods and spirits seem to be uplifted. At this point reading isn't an issue, but the love exchanged is extraordinary.

As with both extremes of the aged individuals serviced, any long lasting bond developed between puppies and readers are always encouraged to become a bonded family member through adoption.