Animal Assisted Reading improves a child’s confidence, trust, empathy, and emotional development. The Animals, Books, and Children (ABC) program operates in schools that serve at-risk children and provide literacy testing. Therapy teams visit a school weekly, seeing three children individually during a one-hour session – to improve reading skills, comprehension and speed, as well as help develop core social behaviors. The sessions have a 12-16 week duration. Therapy teams receive Gabriel’s Angels training, materials and support specific to this program.
School staff identify children that would benefit from individual reading practice in a safe and non-judgmental environment. The designated ABC therapy team reads with the same children each week so that a trusting, secure relationship evolves. During a 20-minute session, the individual child will have time to feel comfortable, work directly on reading skills, and conclude the visit by engaging in a fun behavioral development activity. A celebration and certificate ceremony concludes each program duration.
All schools are required to provide state or district pre and post-reading test scores so that Gabriel’s Angels can assess program efficacy.
“We are amazed at how much the ABC program supported our students with their willingness to read and with their reading progress. Students were immediately happy and calm, strengthening their ability to focus and engage. We also noticed an improvement with attendance from the students on the days of the program. The students voiced their excitement about being part of this program. Kenilworth is very excited to continue with the program this school year!”
-Kenilworth Elementary