Volunteering with SitStayRead provides an opportunity to support children's literacy while enjoying the unique bond between kids and therapy dogs. Your involvement helps create a positive and engaging environment where children can practice reading in a relaxed setting. Through this program, you can play a role in boosting children's confidence and fostering a love for reading. This rewarding experience not only benefits the children but also enhances your connection to the community and its future.

## **Becoming a Dog Team Volunteer**
Our Certified Reading Assistance Dogs are one of the most unique and valuable components of our programs. Dog – human teams meet with students in the classroom only after the students have had an introduction to dog safety and preparation for these special visits by our Program Managers.
During each one-hour visit, dog teams welcome students to read aloud with confidence, while also building trust in and experiencing the benefits of proximity to a calm, live animal.
### **Become a Book Buddy**
Every one of our volunteers begins their time with SitStayRead as a **Book Buddy**.
As a Book Buddy, you work with a small group of students in the classroom, giving them focused attention and literacy support, from reading and writing activities, to literacy games.
All prospective volunteers must attend an orientation, training, and pass a background check.
As our Classroom Residencies are **[6 to 8 week programs](https://www.sitstayread.org/our-approach/)**, a commitment to attending every weekly session is ideal for the students. The time needed weekly is roughly 90 minutes, including a 15 minute pre-class check in, and a 15 minute post-class breakdown.
We do understand how busy our volunteers are and can accommodate commitments of a minimum of 2 or 3 sessions in a single program, but also welcome you to consider participating in one-time events as they become available.

## **Volunteer Groups**
One of the most rewarding ways cohorts of colleagues or other community groups have supported SitStayRead is to adopt a classroom for 6-8 weeks and volunteer as Book Buddies together.
For more information about how your company or group can get involved in one of these efforts or if you have another way you would like to support our mission, reach out to our team. We’re happy to help you find the best fit for the time and gifts you have to offer.