Just 7 words: AB-SO-LUTE-LY FAN-TAS-TIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy and the ITA crew put together a very professional, well organized conference. The guest speakers were awesome. The instructors training was awesome—I am honored to have been in the first ever instructors training. The networking opportunities were awesome. The accommodations and conference center were awesome. Even the food was awesome—which, many times at conferences, the food is the low point. Gee, do you think the conference was awesome as well? YOU BET!

I learned so much from the guest speakers as well as the other attendees. My brain is overwhelmed! It will take me weeks to decompress and digest all of the information.

It was such a great opportunity to learn the concepts, science and principles behind what we do in schools, libraries and other facilities. Dr. Lynch’s keynote provided medical data supporting what we do and explained it in terms we could understand. THANK YOU, DR. LYNCH!!

I have become a Mary Jalongo groupie—not only is Mary a huge supporter of what we are doing with the R.E.A.D program, she plans to participate with her greyhound. I plan to attend any speaking engagements with Mary that I can. THANK YOU, DR. JALONGO!!!!

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald was a riot. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time, especially when he took off his pants! Relax—he was wearing green tights under his pants and we were treated to a display of his tap dancing skills. I am so glad I live in Denver—I may have to switch veterinarians. THANK YOU, DR. FITZGERALD!!!

Sandi Martin’s session on opening doors provided many, many tips on removing barriers to get programs started. This was a great session for people just getting started with R.E.A.D programs or for people with established programs that may be running into roadblocks. I enjoyed meeting Zelda. THANK YOU, SANDI!!!!

These are the sessions I attended and thoroughly enjoyed all of the them—and learned much to bring back to my organization here in Denver.

Thanks to all of the people who shared stories about how you got your programs started, your marketing ideas, your materials ideas. Both of my dogs now have a resume—which is funny, because I don’t!

Thank you, Kathy and all of the ITA volunteers who made the conference so informative and for taking care of us! I can’t wait for the next one!

Randi Bolton
Castle Rock, CO 

Randi said it all, and I whole heartedly agree. We went to the conference together, and have not stopped talking about it since. I know that the Denver area will benefit from all the wonderful information that we took back home with us. Too bad all our DPP R.E.A.D.® teams could not have the same experiences that we did. We will do our best to share everything with them. (Maybe not the "green tights")

Donna Reif Sack
Denver, Colorado

I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to everyone at ITA/READ for putting on fabulous event for all of us to learn and share ideas. And also, of course, to all the wonderful speakers. I learned so much and returned so enlightened and inspired to go forth and spread the READ word! Thank you also to all of you who shared your knowledge and experience. In addition to our small private school who is so looking forward to beginning as soon as possible (hopefully for their summer session) I’ve already put in a call to our brand new beautiful local public library who’s head of children’s services is quite enthusiastic as well! I only hope I can meet the interest with enough suitable READ teams!

To those of you who could not attend the conference this year I highly recommend making it next time around. Looking forward to seeing you all again next time and hearing more here on the Forum.

Thanks again to All of you! SO wonderful to meet you all!

Gratefully,

Patti Shanaberg
President/Founder
Angel Paws AAA/T
Newark, OH
740.364.0824

I have to say the conference was outstanding in so many ways! In wandering room to room, I really felt an energy from the people — attendees and ITA volunteers alike. The kind of energy you get when you know you’re doing something important and worthwhile. (I’ve been to some conferences that lacked that energy.) It really made me proud to be a part of of it and of ITA generally.

Peter Hoogenboom
ITA Board of Directors