Dogs Help Children Read With Confidence

Most know how it feels to stumble over an unfamiliar word while reading aloud to an audience. Particularly as a child, this very experience can hinder learning and promote unnecessary anxiety, but a new program has found a way to get kids more comfortable and confident in their readings skills without embarrassing them.

Since 1999 the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program aims to improve the literacy skills of children in a unique approach—by allowing them to read to a dog.

“This gives kids a safe place to practice their reading,” Meryl Levesque, owner and handler of Smokey, a Labrador retriever mix, said.

As a substitute teacher, Levesque, a contributor to Tolland Patch, watched as some children struggled with reading. She wanted to encourage them in some way so she presented the idea of the R.E.A.D. program to Tolland public schools. It was difficult to get permission to bring a dog into the school buildings, however.

Undeterred, Levesque took her idea to the librarywhere the idea was welcomed, she said.

The program uses registered therapy animals that have been trained and tested for health, safety, skills and temperament.

Levesque adopted Smokey from Louisiana through PetFinder.com. She has since completed the multiple-week training program to become not only an R.E.A.D. dog, but also a therapy dog that visits nursing homes.

Smokey was rescued on the day she was supposed to be euthanized, Levesque said.

“And I think that she knows that. She’s the best dog that I’ve had,” she said.

Smokey will be five-years old in August.

According to Intermountain Therapy Animals, research shows that children are inclined to forget about their limitations during their session with the dogs.

“One key to the success of the R.E.A.D. experience is a shift away from the children viewing themselves as the target of yet another remedial program, and toward them seeing themselves as tutors and helpers for the dog,” according to program information.

Sanzhar Gabdrashit’s experience with Smokey is a great example of the benefits of this program. Gabdrashit, a 7-year old boy from Kazakhstan who did not speak English 10 months ago, is now comfortable, and confident, as he sits next to Smokey reading a book about baseball, hardly stumbling on any of the tough words.

Teagan Sodel, first grade, and her sister Kylee, 5, also took advantage of the opportunity Thursday night. Although the girls have their own dog, Tyson, at home, he proves more useful for dance parties.

“If we tried to read to Tyson, he would never stay still,” Kylee said.

Aiden Kelley, first grade, managed to zip right through two books while at Smokey’s side, right before he ran to soccer practice.

At the end of each session, all of the children who attended signed up to come back next month.

Smokey will be at the Tolland Public Library on the first Thursday of every month and even a few Saturday dates during the summer.

“I’m very dedicated to this program,” Levesque said.

The next session with Smokey will take place on June 18. For more information or to sign up for a time with Smokey, contact the library at 860-871-3620 or e-mail Mrs. Brousseau at vbrousseau@tolland.org.