Holiday break is just around the corner for schools in the area. At the Westhampton Elementary School, we end the first four months of the school year having implemented our Bright Spot Canine Reading Buddies Program in six of the eight grades taught at the school.
In addition to the original grades: first, second, third, and fourth, pre-kindergarten was added three weeks ago, and grade five was added today. The program has met with great success. Students are reading more and more. Many of them prepare several books ahead – not just one – to read to the dog. Reading with the dogs has led to writing about the dogs and drawing illustrations. Lots more can happen, I have no doubt, as the program continues to develop.
We are most fortunate to have four great Bright Spot certified therapy dogs involved in this program. Dogs are carefully selected for the specific work involved. Some of our therapy dogs are best suited to work with the elderly, some in healthcare environments, some in 
educational settings. Lilo, the Great Dane, Zack, the Border Collie, Lily, the English Setter, and Violet, the Australian Labradoodle make terrific Reading Buddies. They’re good listeners, and are able to sit or lie down during the entire class session. Their trained handlers, Bright Spot volunteers Ern Damon, Susan Miller, and Cynthia Hinckley have been trained in the skills and techniques needed to work effectively in this specialized children’s program. We’re looking forward to what will unfold in the New Year as our Canine Reading Buddies continue to encourage a love of reading amongst their young readers.