In addition, we offer adult programs too! Adult presentations provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the significant role the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA has in the community, including many programs offered by our facility.
Programs requested are:
- Concord-Merrimack County SPCA-Information about our facility, our role in the community and programs we provide to the community.
- Dog Bite Prevention-Safety around dogs and precautions to take when meeting a stray dog.
- Cat and Dog Safety-The ability to read a cat and dog's body language to remain safe.
- Responsible Pet Ownership-What is needed to properly care for your pet and the responsibility required from you as a pet owner.
- Careers with Animals-The variety of careers available in working with animals.
- Animal Cruelty-A categorized definition of animal cruelty and laws enforced in the humane treatment of animals.
There is a program cost of $35.00.
This fee assists us in covering costs of materials provided with each presentation.
Reading Tails: The mission of Reading Tails is to assist children with literacy skills. Children are given the opportunity to share a book with a registered pet therapy dog and their owner. The concept of a child reading to a canine friend incorporates a child's love of animals and his or her desire to read.The reading program works with children who may have low self esteem, find the task of reading difficult, and are sometimes intimidated to read in the presence of their peers and/or family.
Pet therapy dogs are temperament tested and up to date with vaccinations. A pet therapy dog is one that willingly sits or lies quietly by the child that is reading. The child often pets the dog while reading, which produces a relaxed atmosphere. Owners and their canines donate their time, offering a child a willing audience.
Benefits
- Children who have participated in this program have:
- Demonstrated progress with their reading skills.
- Shown improvement in their confidence to read.
- Built their self esteem.
* A special benefit for the child of this program is to receive a book at the end of the year, paw-tographed by their canine reading partner.
This program promotes opportunities whereby dogs and their human companions can make a difference in a child's life. The dogs are the most beneficial aspect of the program since they are non-judgmental. This brings a positive influence into a child's life, not only with reading, but his or her life as a whole.
There is no fee for this program, however, we do welcome any donations.
(When making a donation, please make checks payable to the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA and indicate the Reading Tails Program in the memo section of your check.)
If a school is interested in participating in this program please email Shannon Camara or call 753-9801 to set up a meeting. This meeting will begin the process in becoming part of the Reading Tails Program.
Participants willing to share their canine friend and register them as a pet therapy dog should contact Sharri Johnson or call 753-9801.
* Illustration above from THREE STORIES YOU CAN READ TO YOUR DOG. Illustrations © 1995 by True Kelley. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.