Using Therapy Dogs to Encourage Children to Read

One of the things I do as a school counselor is coordinate a volunteer reading tutor program.  I recruit mostly parent and some grandparent volunteers to work with students for thirty minutes once a week.  I love doing it.  It's a great way to make a difference in a child's life and involve the community at the same time.

This year we added a new volunteer, Lacey the therapy dog.  

Lacey is so calm and laid back, sometimes you wonder if she's forgotten to breathe.  In fact her owner Kimberley Caldwell sometimes refers to her as lazy Lacey.  However, she comes alive when she gets to interact with children.

This week at my school, Lacey was entertained by seven children.  Some of them helped Lacey learn her letters, some of them read her stories; but all of them benefitted by her warm and loving personality.

It's a great way to encourage reading and social interaction at the same time.  All of the children loved it and left with big smiles on their faces. We are all looking forward to Lacey's visit next month!

For a great easy to read book about ways dog can help others, try this one:

  

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