Although Therapy Teams can order the R.E.A.D. training materials from ITA and do the home study course, attending a R.E.A.D. Training Workshop presents all the material required needed and offers invaluable discussions, role play situations, what if scenarios and question/answers. We can all learn from each other as everyone has come up with unique ideas that can be shared.
Along with utilizing a PowerPoint presentation and videos, attending participants will gain the knowledge base for successful R.E.A.D. visits.
Topics include:
- Introducing Reading Education Assistance Dogs
- The Essential Prerequisites
- Basic Training and Tools
- Program Venues
- Making the program more fun: Examples and ideas
- Supporting young readers: General tools for the handler
- Additional resources and references
- Becoming an official R.E.A.D. team
Participants and their dogs will be encouraged to participate in a R.E.A.D. Suitability Assessment.
- The Suitability Assessment will give the participants a chance to encounter a mock R.E.A.D. session while at the same time working through various real life situations.
- The Suitability Assessment will provide the Rocky Mountain R.E.A.D. (R.M.R.) Program Coordinator with another tool to better match teams with facilities.
- The Suitability Assessment will enable the participants a chance to see firsthand what behaviors might need improvement, if any, before you start your R.E.A.D. visits