Keywords
reading instruction, reading interventions, reluctant readers, animal assisted therapy, registered therapy dogs
Abstract
This investigation studied the impact of registered therapy dogs assigned to students in order to improve reading skills. The purpose of this study was to determine if children assigned to registered therapy dogs improve significantly in reading achievement and related school performance such as attendance and discipline when compared to students of similar characteristics not assigned to registered therapy dogs. Specifically, the study used data to ascertain whether students assigned to registered therapy dogs improved their reading skills and if these students demonstrated more or less growth than students of similar characteristics not assigned to registered therapy dogs. This study analyzed data from the Canine Assisted Reading Education (C.A.R.E. to Read) program, data collected from the teacher responses to the C.A.R.E. to Read Teacher Questionnaire, and data provided by Brevard Public School District. Repeated measures analyses and descriptive statistics clearly revealed that students assigned to registered therapy dogs demonstrated more reading growth than their peers who were not assigned to registered therapy dogs. Additionally, students assigned to the registered therapy dogs had a more positive attitude toward schoolwork, were more willing to participate in classroom activities, were more successful with higher level thinking skills, and were more self-confident after being assigned to the registered therapy dogs. Recommendations were made to address teacher training concerning classroom environment, higher level thinking skills, and identifying hesitant and resistant learners. Recommendations also were made for additional research on other uses for registered therapy dogs in the educational setting.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2007
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Murray, Barbara A.
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
College
College of Education
Department
Educational Research, Technology, and Leadership
Degree Program
Educational Leadership
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0001561
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0001561
Language
English
Release Date
May 2007
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Paradise, Julie, "An Analysis Of Improving Student Performance Through The Use Of Registered Therapy Dogs Serving As Motivators For Reluctant Read" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3288.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3288