King was surrounded by children, each hugging and petting him, as he entered his first classroom of the morning at the Hilltown Charter School in Haydenville, Massachusetts. Everyone had a chance to greet King before he headed to the special reading alcove and started listening to his first reader. He had three readers in one classroom who read storybooks, a chapter book, and a poetry book to him. Then he moved to the next classroom to listen to three more readers there.
One girl chose a book called The Dog Who Came to Dinner because she felt the dog in the story looked just like King. He was big and had brown spots. I think she was right!
King has quickly adapted to his role as a Bright Spot Reading Buddy. All the children agree that King is a very good listener and enjoys looking at the illustrations in the books. King’s departure set off another round of hugs and well-wishes.
King’s next stop was the nursing home where the residents now know to expect him right after he finishes his job as a Reading Buddy at Hilltown. Many of the residents are aware that the school is just up the road about a mile. Again, lots of happy cheers and hugs given with as much enthusiasm as the school children. King knows his way around already the nursing home already. First, a swing through the physical therapy room to engage with those receiving PT, and to spend time with the physical therapists who always love having the dogs drop by. On over to the large activities room where folks are usually arranged in a semi-cirlce. Today’s activity was a sing-a-long. Holiday cheer is definitely in the air. On to individual rooms, then up to the Alzheimer’s Unit. Here, each week King’s appearance is a fresh surprise. Oh, look, a dog! Boy, he’s a beauty! To this, King snuggles right up to each one offering compliments and bending low for a kiss.