Dear 5I Families

Dear 5I Families:

We recently had the opportunity to request that our room participate in the Nor'wester Readers Canine Therapy Dogs. Due to the high demand of these wonderful dogs, our room has been put on a waiting list. In preparation for our (hopeful) visit with a Therapy Dog, I am writing home to ask you the following question:

 Does your child have any allergies that would prevent them from enjoying visits with a Therapy dog?

Please fill out the bottom portion of this note and return it as soon as possible; either at the Meet and Greet or the first week of school. I urge you to be frank and honest about any allergies. If anyone has any pet allergies in the room, we will not be able to have a dog visit. We have research articles listed on our class web-site for further information. I have worked with a Therapy Reading Dog for the past 8 years and it is a wonderful program and a chance for our children to gain confidence in their reading.

We have not been selected yet for these visits, but we want to be proactive in the event that we are selected. Thank you for your support and help with this!

For more information visit: http://nwr.iphost4.com/ ------

I give permission for ______to participate in these visits. I am signing saying that my child does not have any allergies that would prevent them from participating in these visits.

I do not give permission for ______to participate in these visits.

I give permission for photographs of my child to potentially be used in (Place a checkmark on each preceding blank to indicate that you are granting permission.):

___ Council Rock and building publicity ___ NWR Videotapes ___ Newspaper and magazine articles ___ On the NWR webpage and NWR program brochures ___ On the NWR Facebook page ___ Photographs may be used, but do not identify my child by name

______Parent Signature Date NOR’WESTER READERS Therapy Dogs

~ GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS~

 Handler/Volunteers should wear or carry their personal Therapy Dog Team ID on every visit. These are provided by their certifying organization.

 Handler/Volunteers may NOT bring friends or visitors without first getting permission from the classroom teacher and/or principal.

 Cell phones and pagers may not be used and must be turned off or set to vibrate during their visit to a classroom. If the use of a cell phone becomes necessary, handlers are expected to excuse themselves and their dogs temporarily and complete the call outside the facility.

 Only approved and certified therapy dogs are eligible to participate in Nor’wester Readers. They must wear a buckle or slip collar and be on a leash at all times.

 Handlers/Volunteers MUST be accompanied to and from the classroom by a school employee.

 Encourage students to behave appropriately in the presence of a therapy dog. They should be urged to lower their voices, approach quietly, sit down, and be gentle during a visitation. These expectations should be set at the first visit.

 Children should not be encouraged or permitted to PLAY with a working therapy dog.

 Handlers/Volunteers will visit only the classroom to which they are assigned unless they have been invited by a teacher or administrator to stop and visit. Allergy clearance must be completed before any therapy dog visit.

 Two or three visits are usually necessary before things start to run smoothly. If you have questions, need ideas, or assistance, please contact one of the Directors.

Deborah Glessner [email protected]

Nor’wester Readers Therapy Dog Teams are privileged to be invited into the classroom, and it is a privilege for the schools to benefit from the impact of therapy dogs working with students. We are working in a wonderful environment of mutual respect where we will develop heartwarming relationships with both staff members and students. We are facilitators of the interaction between our dogs and the students.