Become a R.E.A.D. Team
Share your wonderful animal companion, your love of children, and your love of reading by becoming a R.E.A.D. team.
All R.E.A.D. teams are required to be a registered team with a therapy animal registry. The national registries that are common in Minnesota are Delta Society, Therapy Dogs International, and Therapy Dogs Incorporated.
If you are already a registered therapy team, consider these qualities of what a good R.E.A.D. team looks like, so you can decide whether this might be a good fit for you and your therapy companion.
Qualities of a Good R.E.A.D. Therapy Animal
- Calm, comfortable in low-key setting
- Able to deal with unexpected close encounters of rambunctious children
- Solid obedience skills; ability/willingness to learn new things
- Tolerant of sudden loud noises: school bells, puppets, costumes, room decorations
- Neutral to presence of toys, crayons, paper, books, and lunch remnants in trash baskets
- Cool around other animals
Qualities of a Good R.E.A.D. Human Teammate
- All the qualities of the animal, and enjoy children!
- Love reading and be a competent reader
- Willingness to discover children's books
- Willingness to form appropriate relationships with kids and understand their challenges
- Commitment is required!
- Time commitment for library or school program
- Training, grooming, and professionalism
If this sounds like a good fit for you and your therapy animal, great! The next step is to participate in a R.E.A.D. workshop or complete the self-study program. If you have any questions, contact Nancy.
If you are interested in becoming a registered therapy team, refer to one of the national therapy animal registration sites listed above or access additional information on local training resources through Minnesota Therapy Animals.
