CANINE AMBASSADORS and PAWS TO READ PROGRAMS
CANINE AMBASSADORS is an AKC program in which dogs and handlers pay monthly visits to local pre-schools, elementary schools, and public libraries in Goleta and Santa Barbara. We introduce our dogs and tell what the breed was developed to do. We then teach the children (and parents and teachers) how to care for dogs, how to meet friendly dogs and what to do if encountering a strange dog, friendly or not. After showing some of the skills our dogs have, the children meet our dogs and practice asking if they may pet our dogs.
PAWS TO READ is a program done in partnership with the Goleta Public Library in which children read aloud to our dogs in a one on one relationship. Children have been reading to dogs in schools and libraries all over the country for over ten years and have improved their reading skills, often as much as a grade level or more. Dogs in this program are essentially therapy dogs, and may be eligible for the AKC title THD.
The CCKC Board of Directors established and the membership approved the following requirements for participation in either program.
1. Dogs must attain the AKC Canine Good Citizenship award prior to participation.
2. Handlers must be CCKC members in good standing prior to participation.
3. Evidence of current rabies vaccination and a fecal exam negative for ova and parasites must be provided annually for dogs in the program.
4. Handlers must bring their dogs to 3 club meetings and/or Canine Ambassador events prior to participation.
5. Any evidence of inappropriate behavior by a dog in the program(s) is grounds for removal of the dog from both programs. The Board of Directors has the sole authority to determine whether a dog will be removed.
6. All participating dogs must be clean and well groomed, including nails and teeth. They should like children, must like being touched and petted, and if approached from the rear, show only curiosity.
7. The program coordinator shall keep records of program participation as well as documents for rabies vaccination and negative stool lab clearances.
8. Handlers are expected to participate in other club activities.
In addition, the following pertain to Paws to Read participants:
9. It is a library requirement that handlers must be fingerprinted and submit a Library Volunteer Application Form.
10. Dog-Handler teams may be evaluated further in addition to attaining the CGC award.
11. The program evaluator may observe the team's first library visit.
12. AKC awards the Therapy Dog Title for dogs that have made 50 documented therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and other facilities. CCKC has been approved by the AKC as a certifying organization for dogs in the Paws to Read–Goleta Library program only. In order to be awarded the Therapy Dog Title (THD), the dog must be registered with AKC as either a purebred dog or under the AKC 's PAL Program (*Purebred Alternative Listing) formerly called the ILP program, or have an enrollment in the AKC Canine Partners Program.
(NOTE: CCKC is not a "Therapy Dog Organization" and approval and participation in Paws to Read does not entitle the dog or handler to make therapy dog visits to any other facility or in any other "therapy dog" capacity.)
CANINE AMBASSADORS is an AKC program in which dogs and handlers pay monthly visits to local pre-schools, elementary schools, and public libraries in Goleta and Santa Barbara. We introduce our dogs and tell what the breed was developed to do. We then teach the children (and parents and teachers) how to care for dogs, how to meet friendly dogs and what to do if encountering a strange dog, friendly or not. After showing some of the skills our dogs have, the children meet our dogs and practice asking if they may pet our dogs.
PAWS TO READ is a program done in partnership with the Goleta Public Library in which children read aloud to our dogs in a one on one relationship. Children have been reading to dogs in schools and libraries all over the country for over ten years and have improved their reading skills, often as much as a grade level or more. Dogs in this program are essentially therapy dogs, and may be eligible for the AKC title THD.
The CCKC Board of Directors established and the membership approved the following requirements for participation in either program.
1. Dogs must attain the AKC Canine Good Citizenship award prior to participation.
2. Handlers must be CCKC members in good standing prior to participation.
3. Evidence of current rabies vaccination and a fecal exam negative for ova and parasites must be provided annually for dogs in the program.
4. Handlers must bring their dogs to 3 club meetings and/or Canine Ambassador events prior to participation.
5. Any evidence of inappropriate behavior by a dog in the program(s) is grounds for removal of the dog from both programs. The Board of Directors has the sole authority to determine whether a dog will be removed.
6. All participating dogs must be clean and well groomed, including nails and teeth. They should like children, must like being touched and petted, and if approached from the rear, show only curiosity.
7. The program coordinator shall keep records of program participation as well as documents for rabies vaccination and negative stool lab clearances.
8. Handlers are expected to participate in other club activities.
In addition, the following pertain to Paws to Read participants:
9. It is a library requirement that handlers must be fingerprinted and submit a Library Volunteer Application Form.
10. Dog-Handler teams may be evaluated further in addition to attaining the CGC award.
11. The program evaluator may observe the team's first library visit.
12. AKC awards the Therapy Dog Title for dogs that have made 50 documented therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and other facilities. CCKC has been approved by the AKC as a certifying organization for dogs in the Paws to Read–Goleta Library program only. In order to be awarded the Therapy Dog Title (THD), the dog must be registered with AKC as either a purebred dog or under the AKC 's PAL Program (*Purebred Alternative Listing) formerly called the ILP program, or have an enrollment in the AKC Canine Partners Program.
(NOTE: CCKC is not a "Therapy Dog Organization" and approval and participation in Paws to Read does not entitle the dog or handler to make therapy dog visits to any other facility or in any other "therapy dog" capacity.)