“Allan’s Angels” Team Helps Children Feel Confident While Reading

Several young children who visited Ellington’s on Saturday came not only to check out a few books and do some craft projects, but also to practice their reading skills.

Five-year old Shayla of Ellington, who brought her older sister along for support, took a seat next to her reading partner for the morning, Teela, to read a book she had just selected from the Dr. Seuss section – Hop On Pop.

Teela sat with her patiently – and happily – as Shayla read all about pups in cups, fish in trees and falling off walls. At the end, a furry hug and a peck on the wet nose are what seemed to be in order.

Teela, a Labradoodle, is an Allan’s Angels Therapy Dog and proved to be the perfect audience to the day’s young readers.

“Reading to a dog can boost the confidence of a hesitant reader,” explained the dog’s handler, Cherie Robinson. “The dog is a non-judgemental audience, never correcting the reader.”

Allan’s Angels Therapy Dog teams, according to Robinson, are trained, tested and certified for therapy work. Dozens of lovable, friendly dogs of all breeds and sizes are qualified through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc., which is a non-profit organization that trains the canines to give loving, empathetic support to individuals. The program began as a memorial to the founder of Bolton Veterinary Hospital, Allan A. Leventhal, and operates from the facility.

“AATD teams go to nursing homes, schools, do hospice work, special events like the Cabela’s event a few weeks ago, church functions, community living facilities, hospitals, colleges to provide study breaks during exams, and more,” said Robinson. “Sometimes a single team goes to visit, and other times, there are two or more teams present. I have been at events with five or six or more other dogs and handlers at the same time.”

The Saturday visit at the library was supposed to feature two therapy dogs, but Teela handled the workload beautifully by herself.

“The children seem to be pleased that the dog listens… this makes it even more enjoyable for the child,” said Robinson.

Shayla, who did a wonderful job reading her book, seemed to thoroughly enjoy her time with Teela, giggling when the dog sniffed the pages and even when Teela tried to steal a quick kiss.

To learn more about Allan’s Angels or to request a team to visit, please e-mail Bolton Veterinary Hospital at boltonvet@aol.com, or call 860- 646-6134 and request to speak with the Department of Behavior and Training. Also visit Allan’s Angels on the Bolton Vet web site for more information and photographs of the therapy dogs.