Many studies have shown that reading to dogs is a great way to improve self-confidence and public speaking skills. This is because it provides an opportunity for students to speak out loud, but without the judgement of human company. Therapy pets allow children to focus on the animal instead of feeling self-conscious themselves. Studies indicate that this is a therapeutic distraction technique that relieves children of their worries, which helps their performance when reading.
Jessica Zimmerman and her friend Mic paid our elementary students a visit so our students could read to Mic and get some pet therapy.
Research on pet therapy also shows that animals connect people to each other and that this bond strengthens their ability to work together. Thank you to Jessica and Mic for paying us a visit!