Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Makes Donation To Reader Dog Downeast At Annual "Tea"

(BAR HARBOR, ME) August 18, 2008 - Bar Harbor Bank & Trust announced its donation to Reader Dog Downeast during their fifth annual "Tea" held on August 13 at the Southwest Harbor Library. In conjunction with the Library's summer reading program, the Reader Dog Downeast Afternoon Tea provides participating children with a new book. This summer, 32 children, some local and some summer visitors from as far south as Georgia and as far "east" as England, participated in the Reader Dog program at the library.

Since 2004, Reader Dog Downeast has provided a safe and calming environment for children to improve their reading skills. To date approximately 200 local children have benefited. This program improves reading and communication skills by having the children read to the ideal companion: dogs. Not only do they help increase relaxation, dogs also listen attentively, do not judge or criticize, and allow children to proceed at their own pace. When a Reader Dog is listening, the child's reading environment is transformed from intimidating to comforting. In addition to improving children's reading skills, the calm reading environment these dogs provide helps children build self-esteem, confidence, and social skills.

These aren't just any dogs - Reader Dogs are registered therapy animals that have been trained and tested for health, safety, and temperament. These dogs and their handlers work as a team to facilitate learning. After reading ten books, the child receives a book of their own to take home, "pawdographed" by their new friend.

Reader Dog Downeast is a volunteer program sponsored by the Southwest Harbor Public Library and supported by monetary donations like this one from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Donated funds are used to purchase new, hardcover books for the children. An effort is made to choose a book that is written and/or illustrated by a Maine children's author or published by a Maine house.

To enroll your child in the Reader Dog Downeast program (the first Fall Session begins on September 17th and runs for 4 weeks) contact Susan Plimpton, Children's Librarian Southwest Harbor Library, 244-7065. To learn how to become a Reader Dog team, contact MJ Penn of Reader Dog Downeast at 244-9661 or by e-mail at info@readerdogdowneast.org. Donations to the program can be made payable to RDD/Southwest Harbor Public Library and sent to P.O. Box 157, Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679.

Reader Dog Downeast is an affiliate of Reading Education Assistance Dogs* (R.E.A.D.*), a volunteer program taking place in libraries and schools. R.E.A.D.* was launched by the nonprofit organization Intermountain Therapy Animals in 1999. It was the first comprehensive literacy program built around reading to dogs. Since its implementation, the program has spread rapidly throughout the United States and Canada, with more than 1300 registered R.E.A.D.* teams. To learn more go to

"Through the efforts of employees like Stacey Sinford at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, banks all across Maine are 'pulling their weight' to help improve the lives of children in their local communities," said Joe Pietroski.

Founded in 1887, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is a community bank with 12 locations along the coast of Maine. They offer a full range of financial services and products for families, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is subsidiary of Bar Harbor Bankshares (AMEX:BHB). For more information call 207-288-3314 or go to www.bhbt.com.

###

(left to right) MJ Penn of Reader Dog Downeast receives a donation check from Colleen Maynard, Branch Manager of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust in Southwest Harbor, at the annual Reader Dog tea held at the Southwest Harbor Library on Wednesday. Kelvin, a Reader (therapy) Dog sits in the foreground. This donation will help pay for books given to children in the Reader Dog program, like the one presented here; Tupelo Rides the Rails.