Therapy dog Violet visits The Westhampton Elementary School on alternate Thursday mornings to listen to fourth graders read books to her. Although Violet is a mere 14 months old, she is proving to be a very good Bright Spot Reading Buddy. Her listening skills are superb. And, she’s very good at receiving hugs and lots of petting. Her fluffy hair is very appealing.
Today, however, Japanese Storyteller Motoko was conducting a lesson in the library, so therapy dog Violet was invited to sit in on the lesson along with her fourth grade class.
I’m very proud of Violet. Most of the class period she lay at my foot, seemingly listening to Motoko as she spoke to the group. Occasionally, Violet changed position and sat at my side. A good therapy dog makes eye contact with their handler watching for directions. Violet has excellent eye contact with me. She does this, as well, when we’re out hiking in the woods. She’s always coming back to me every few minutes, checking for direction through eye contact and hand signals.
Violet’s therapy dog schedule is a busy one on Thursdays. Once finished at the school, she pops in the car for the ten minute drive over to our area nursing home where she interacts with the elderly folks who smile and laugh when she enters their rooms. And, of course, Violet’s friends, the physical therapists, love having her stop in the gym to visit with them and the patients they’re working with. This happy, clown-like little dog radiates sunshine and happiness as she bounces through the hallways.