05/12/2007

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Platte River Elementary School third-graders Austin Solem, left, and Aaron DeForest, both 9, read to Rosie, a 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier, on Friday in Honor. Rosie is a certified therapy dog who helps kids with their reading skills.

Man's best friend is a good listener, too

Rosie, a therapy dog, helps kids learn to read

By CINDY KOCHIS

Special to the Record-Eagle

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Emily Shembarger, 9, reads a book with Rosie.

HONOR — Rosie's a great listener. She doesn't judge, criticize or make fun of anyone's mistakes.

Rosie is a 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier and a registered therapy dog. A member of the Paws for READ (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, Rosie helps kindergarten through third-grade students at Benzie County's Platte River Elementary School improve their literary skills.

"The idea is to help children to want to read. Rosie makes it a pleasant experience,” said Carol McAulty, a dog trainer and handler for 20 years.

In Dodie Bedell's third-grade classroom, students find a favored spot on the floor and sit in groups of two and three. They take turns reading out loud to each other. Several volunteers help out, but Rosie is their favorite.

"Rosie helps to calm and relax the students, especially the ones with the fear of reading out loud,” Bedell said.

Rosie curled up on the lap of a girl with long blonde hair and listened as she read from "Werewolves Don't Go To Summer Camp.” A boy read aloud as he stroked the dog's fur.

Reading out loud in a classroom can be difficult for students. Self-doubt and fear of being teased make it difficult for them to concentrate. Stress can build to the point where they altogether avoid reading to an audience.

With Rosie present, the shy readers begin to open up. One of the students started by whispering the words of his story. By the end of the session, he spoke normally.

Researchers have found children with low self-esteem are more willing to read and interact with therapy animals than with another person. Those children who've participated in the program have stronger literacy skills and more confidence.

"Rosie studied real hard and passed the Delta Society test so now she can also wear the Pet Partners vest,” McAulty said. "Students are surprised when I tell them that she is required to pass without any mistakes. She has to have a perfect score.”

Therapy dogs are screened for skills and temperament, health and cleanliness, good manners and attitude.

In addition, therapy dogs are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of supervised visits in two different therapy dog settings.

Rosie and McAulty keep a busy community schedule. Together they make stops at a local hospital, a seniors housing complex and the Beulah library.

To learn more about therapy dogs and their services, go to www.therapyanimals.org or www.deltasociety.org.