Students in first, second, third, and fourth grades at the Westhampton Elementary School have been eagerly awaiting the start of the Bright Spot Reading-to Dogs-Program. Some students got a taste of this special reading program last spring when we piloted it as an after school program. Others participated in the summer Reading-to-Dogs Program held at the Westhampton Public Library. Word has spread… Reading-to-Dogs is FUN, resulting in lots of books being read.
The Bright Spot Reading-to-Dogs Program is designed to encourage a love-of-reading in a relaxed atmosphere. The therapy dog provides a gentle, non-threatening buddy that listens patiently as the child reads aloud. It is beneficial for all students to read aloud to practice their fluency and further strengthen their confidence in reading. The Reading-to-Dogs Program is a fun and unique way to do this.
This week the Reading-to-Dogs Program was launched. It takes place during library time for each class. Veteran Bright Spot Reading-to-Dogs team Ern Damon and his Great Dane Lilo read with third graders on Monday. The entire class was introduced to Lilo as their Reading Buddy and everyone had a chance to pet her. Then, the assigned reader for the day went to the Reading-to-Dogs corner, a quiet spot in the far corner of the library, to read one-on-one with Lilo, the Reading Buddy. On Tuesday, first and second graders met their Reading Buddy Lily, an English setter, with her handler Cynthia Hinckley, founder and president of Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. Fourth graders met Zack, a border collie, and his handler Susan Miller, who will read with that group on Thursdays.
Each week two students are assigned as readers for the upcoming week. They must select a book, either from the library or one from home, and practice reading it to be ready to read one-on-one to their Reading Buddy. Sometimes students are so excited about reading to the dog that they prepare several books, just in case they have time to read them. I often hear children say, I love to read!
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