R.E.A.D.
READING EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS
What is a Reading Education
Assistance Dog?  

A R.E.A.D. Dog is a registered Therapy Dog with
special qualities.  These include:

  • Calm, quiet, attentive and comfortable is
    low-key settings; conversely, able to deal
    with close and unexpected encounters with
    large groups of rambunctious children.
  • Solid obedience skills/willingness to learn
    things like the paw-stay and focused
    attention.
  • Tolerant of chaotic environments and
    sudden loud noises (school bells, puppets,
    etc.).
  • Tolerant of tugging, pulling and exuberant
    handling.
  • Neutral to presence of toys, crayons, paper,
    books and lunch remnants in trash baskets.
  • Cool around other animals.
  • Likes children.

Handlers are also very important in this "team"
job, they need special qualities too!  These
include:

  • Enjoys children.
  • Love to read.
  • Willingness to get to know the children,
    understand their challenges, remember
    things about them.
  • Compassion for and sensitivity to the
    hesitant and reticent child; patience with
    the over-active child.
  • Patience with repetitive reading of the
    same books and the ability to discern age-
    appropriate reading material or related
    activities.
  • Flexibility and the ability to "go with the
    flow".
  • Willingness to possibly teach your dog a
    few new commands.
  • COMMITMENT to the program.
How do you become a R.E.A.D. Team?

First, your dog needs to be a registered Therapy Dog.  
There are many Therapy Dog registries, if your dog is
already a Therapy Dog, check with your registry about
R.E.A.D. eligibility.  If your dog is not already registered,
Canine Solutions LLC has two Therapy Dog evaluators
(Polly & Lisa)  that can help with this process through
Therapy Dogs, Inc.  Please see our Therapy Dog page on
this website.

The next step is to apply for a R.E.A.D. packet.  This
packet includes information on becoming a R.E.A.D. team,
membership information and a test that needs to be
completed by each individual handler.  Once the test is
completed, you can send in your application  along with
membership fees to become a R.E.A.D. team.

Canine Solutions R.E.A.D. Dogs is an Affiliate Group of
R.E.A.D., because of this, members can take advantage of
group training and savings on membership fees.

Once you receive your membership I.D. and tag for your
dog, you are almost ready to go.  If you want to become a
Canine Solutions R.E.A.D. Dog team, we ask that you also
purchase a bandanna and tote bag through us.  The cost
of these two items is $10 or $11.  We also ask that you go
through us for an I.D. tag with a picture of you and your
dog on it.  This is a no-cost item.  This will identify you as
a Canine Solutions R.E.A.D. team member when visiting
schools and libraries.

Canine Solutions R.E.A.D. Dogs started working in the
Beaver Dam School District in 2009 at Washington and
Lincoln Schools.  We are expanding this to more schools
in the 2009-2010 school year.  We also visit the Beaver
Dam Community Library during Story Hours and other
special events.  

Anyone interested in joining Canine Solutions R.E.A.D.
Dogs or becoming a R.E.A.D. team, can contact us
through either e-mail on this website or by phoning us at
262-490-3736.

If any schools or organizations that would like more
information, please contact us!

**R.E.A.D. is a registered service mark of Intermountain
Therapy Animals.
LINK TO INTERMOUNTAIN THERAPY
ANIMALS
SOFIE MAE
GRACIE MAE
JACK-O
CURRENT CANINE SOLUTIONS R.E.A.D.
DOGS MEMBERS
Sandy & Burdock
Erv & Jack-O
Kris & Bella
Mary & Lacey
Kris & Tyson
Amy & Monty
Miriam & Bonnie
Polly & Sofie
Laurie & Flame
Carolyn & Shep
*****ALL OF OUR THERAPY AND
R.E.A.D. DOG WORK IS
COMPLETELY VOLUNTEER
FROM EVALUATING TEAMS TO
VISITING AT FACILITIES.  
HOWEVER, "CANINE
SOLUTIONS R.E.A.D. DOGS"
DOES ACCEPT DONATIONS
EARMARKED FOR BOOKS AND
OTHER SUPPLIES THAT WE
SHARE WITH THE CHILDREN
WE VISIT WITH.  PLEASE
CONTACT US REGARDING
DONATIONS BY E-MAIL OR BY
PHONE 262-490-3736.
Lisa & Gracie