Every Tuesday afternoon now, Lily and I head off together for her reading time with the first and second graders at The Westhampton Elementary School. She seems to know it’s her day. We are very much into routines with our dogs, so Lily has picked up on the fact that leading up to her reading time at the school, she gets brushed and suited up in her Bright Spot blue therapy dog vest. Once that is done, she positions herself at the door, eagerly awaiting my signal to head to the car. She knows what’s coming. She is in working mode – Lily the Reading Dog is on the job.
Into its third week, the Read-to-Dogs Program at Westhampton Elementary School is in full swing encompassing the first, second, third, and fourth graders during their weekly library time. Students take an active role in the success of the program. Each student assigned to read to the dog in the upcoming week must select a book and practice reading it at home during the week in preparation for his/her time with the reading dog. Eventually, the desire to read for pleasure develops as students consistently select and practice reading books.
It’s such a joy to watch the happy faces of the children as they read to Lily – and when their book is finished, they get to spend a little time petting her and talking with her.
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