Now – who wouldn’t love a job where you get greeted with hugs and kisses? That’s what therapy dog Lily gets every Tuesday afternoon as the first graders at Westhampton Elementary School in Westhampton, Massachusetts, file into the library promptly at 1:30. The class, fresh out of gym class, becomes hushed as they wait outside the library door. Look, there’s Lily’s, word is spread to all at the appearance of Lily quietly sitting in the library, waiting for them to come in. After graciously receiving every hug, kiss, and pet on the head, Lily heads to the special Reading-to-Dog Corner in the library to prepare herself for the first reader.
Therapy dog Lily settles in on the two plush blankets Karen Rousseau, school librarian, has provided for the comfort of the Reading Dogs. Lily makes herself right at home, getting very comfortable for the hour ahead. Today, Lily listened to four readers: two first graders, followed by two second graders. One boy had prepared three books which he proudly finished in his allotted reading time. The time passed quickly and soon it was time for the second graders to line up at the door for end-of-day dismissal. The class fell quiet when Mrs. Rousseau told them that they could all have a special chance to say good-bye to Lily on the way out the door.
I received a special bonus today, too. Karen handed me a stack of papers – drawings and sentences written about Lily. The drawings of Lily – and me, too – are adorable, and the sentences tell much they enjoy reading to Lily. I plan to scan some and post them here in the next few days. Really cute!