Making a Difference
No Doubt about It: Canine Audience Benefits Readers
Westley hated reading aloud until he found the perfect audience. Digory, a Labrador Retriever-mix on ARF’s Pet Hug Pack therapy team, melted into the 11-year-old's lap as he read to the dog. Digory never asked Westley to speak up, slow down, or repeat sentences. Soon, Westley became more comfortable reading out loud. “I like doing it now,” he said.
In collaboration with researchers from UC Davis, ARF provided several Pet Hug Pack dogs for two studies based on ARF’s All Ears Reading® program. The results confirm for the first time what has long been believed, that children who regularly read to dogs significantly improve their skills. ARF is the first national animal welfare organization to obtain scientific documentation of this benefit.
The studies tested reading fluency (words per minute) and accuracy (errors per minute) in third graders from the Dixon school district and home-schooled youth ages 6-12 from the Davis-Sacramento area. Children in the two studies improved their reading fluency by 12% and 30%, while a control group who did not read to dogs showed no improvement. Accuracy levels remained consistent throughout the studies.
As little as 10 minutes per week of reading aloud to a dog, performed regularly, was enough to change both a child’s skill and attitude about reading aloud. One 12-year old stated the program made a difference in her life. "Before, I didn't like to read out loud because I felt like I couldn't do it right," she said. "Now I feel better about it. the dogs don't say anything about you. They just listen" Even parents noted the difference; one commented, “I have noticed that he now reads because he wants to, not because he has to.”
Fostering children’s eagerness to read by leveraging their love of animals is one of the many ways ARF is making a difference. Please join us by volunteering in ARF’s Pet Hug Pack, or by making a donation.
There’s something about Spring that makes us all a little giddy. At ARF, we’re heading into a full-blown Feline Frenzy adoption event: from April 1-11, we’re waiving the adoption fees on all adult cats!
Adoption hours are Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends, 12 noon to 5 p.m. (standard adoption criteria still apply). Hop on down and find your fur-ever friend today!
Fun for the Whole Community at Animals on Broadway
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Animals on Broadway, ARF’s free community festival celebrating people and the pets they love. The event will be held Sunday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, California.
Animals on Broadway is an awesome mix of live music, pet rescue groups, and vendor booths selling gifts, pet-related accessories, treats, and artwork. It’s great for families, with activities for kids at ARF’s People Connect booth and a dog wash for the furrier family members. New this year is the Pet Wellness Fair, a special section of the event offering low-cost vaccinations, blood testing, micro-chipping, “Ask the Vet” advice, doggie massage, and more!
Come down early and join us for Paws on Parade, a one-mile walk raising money to help save the lives of abandoned cats and dogs. Form a “pack” and start your own fundraising webpage today! Registration is at 8:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!
ARF has two new public service announcements to promote dog and cat adoptions, thanks to the generosity and creative talent of Young & Rubicam in San Francisco! They’ll be on the airwaves soon, but here, for your listening pleasure, is a sneak preview. Take a look below at our Adoption Stars, too – just two of the many caring pets “waiting to adopt a nice human like you.”
In March, ARF found loving new homes for 110 cats and dogs, and rescued 155 more! Check out two of our current adoptable favorites below:
Jarlsberg
Handsome Jarlsberg is looking for
a family
to share his affectionate personality with.
Denver
Denver is a bright and happy dog with
physical and mental energy to expend!
Meet Jarlsberg and Denver at Tony La Russa's Animal
Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek,
during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.
Liono Jillian and Chris adopted young Liono from ARF, and recently wrote to tell us how much they enjoy him. The orange kitten, now called Toby, was a little shy when he first got home, but now they report he’s the boss of the house! Jillian writes, “He has the funniest meow, and he loves to talk! He’s also a purr machine, and such a lover. We just wanted to say thank you!”
Inchworm
One of the things that attracted Steve and Cindy to Inchworm was the sweet, friendly personality with which she approached other dogs and people. It was important, because when they adopted her, she would have to live with a new brother: Brian, a Bichon Frise. Of course the two get along great together! Now Chloe, the little Chihuahua is dearly loved, and the family is thrilled to have found her.
Spring Is In the Air
Animals on Broadway is an awesome mix of live music, pet rescue groups, and vendor booths selling gifts, pet-related accessories, treats, and artwork. It’s great for families, with activities for kids at ARF’s People Connect booth and a dog wash for the furrier family members. New this year is the Pet Wellness Fair, a special section of the event offering low-cost vaccinations, blood testing, micro-chipping, “Ask the Vet” advice, doggie massage, and more!
