Stacia Slagle

This project will support instruction with integration of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) dogs into three elementary schools supporting social and emotional well-being, positive behavior, confidence, communication skills, reading and writing skills, as well as positively impacting attendance of students and staff. The goal of this project is to increase reading levels, to the extent that 80% of the targeted population will achieve their reading goals at the end of each quarter as a result of this program. Therapy dogs help children focus, improve literacy skills, provide a non-stressful, non-judgmental environment, increase self-confidence, reduce self- consciousness, and encourage the love of reading. Through this initiative, students will have opportunities learn with therapy dogs each week.