OTD Announces New R.E.A.D. Coordinator

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Julie Davies, as our new volunteer R.E.A.D. Coordinator, effective immediately. Julie follows Karen Luker (2008-10) and Chantel Hutter (2005-8) who developed the program and built up to our current record number of eleven R.E.A.D. teams.

Julie was looking for a way to tap into her business experience (she was a National Sales & Marketing Manager in a previous life) and her communications skills (as a freelance writer/editor) to share her passion for great children’s books while tackling local childhood literacy rates… and she’s thrilled to have discovered R.E.A.D.!  Having grown up in the company of horses and dogs, she understands how the simple presence of an animal can draw out a shy child, spark a curiosity and inspire calm focus. With two small children of her own, she lives and breathes children’s books already and she’s looking forward to focusing her energy on continuing to grow the R.E.A.D. program in Ottawa’s schools and libraries with lots of help and guidance from our experienced members. She’s excited about meeting everyone and hearing all of your great ideas while she gets her feet underneath her in her new role.

Julie plans to add R.E.A.D. content to our web site as well as work toward expanding the program with appropriate support and funding. You can contact Julie at read@ottawatherapydogs.ca.