Since the pandemic, A Fair Shake has developed a Zoom Reading Aloud to Dogs program in collaboration with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan's remote tutoring program. Children receive tutoring four afternoons a week and, once a week, they read to "their "dog. Reading to dogs has proven to increase children's reading confidence because they do not interrupt, judge, or correct. Supported by trained volunteers and dog-themed books, the dogs are helping the kids most at risk of falling permanently behind in critical literacy skills.
A Fair Shake for Youth, founded in 2010, is a 501(c)3 uses the untapped power of therapy dogs to help underserved middle school aged youth build greater empathy and self-esteem and reduce bullying. A social and emotional learning program, A Fair Shake partners with schools and community organizations in low-income neighborhoods in New York City.
Once a week for 10 weeks three therapy dog teams and an instructor work with groups of students in a program whose curriculum combines hands-on work with the dogs with a discussion of a dog related topic. As the kids learn to give commands, teach tricks, and try basic agility - encouraging a dog through a tunnel or over a jump they practice positive reinforcement, see the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication, and experience the power of relationships based on trust and respect. As they learn about animal shelters, rescue and second chances and breed discrimination they make connections to their own life experience and choices.
The dogs, honest, non-judgmental and living in the moment make if safe for the youth to let their guard down. As participants learn about the dogs they learn about themselves and each other in ways that open up more possibilities for their own life. The kids tell us that they surprised that the dogs like them, that the dogs listen to them, that they are good with the dogs.
