Reading Tales and Wagging Tails
Some students at St. Katharine Drexel School in Beaver Dam received a little extra help in the reading department this last school year. The volunteer that came into school was different than most – she always arrived on four legs, with a lolling tongue and a wagging tail. Her name is Libby, and she is a specially trained certified therapy reading dog.
St. Katharine Drexel School was the first school in Dodge County to participate in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program. This nationally-known program allows students a safe, relaxed and non-judgmental environment where they can practice and improve their reading and communication skills.
Libby is a seven-year-old mixed breed dog owned by Trina Severson and her family. Throughout her life, this Beaver Dam resident has always been surrounded by animals. She has witnessed firsthand the therapeutic affects that animals can have on people. Trina was able to combine her love for animals and reading through the R.E.A.D. program.
From October through May, Libby and Trina worked with nine SKDS students in grades first through third. Each student spent 10 to 20 minutes once a week reading aloud to Libby. The teachers did notice a difference with their students who were a part of the program. Judy Pearce, second grade teacher said, ‘Both of my students are always very happy to go when it’s time to read. I think it has helped with their confidence and they are very comfortable reading. I think it’s a really good opportunity – everyone wants to go and read with Libby.’
Trina cited two major characteristics that are needed for an animal to become a therapy dog -- obedience and temperament, and Libby excels at both. The team of dog and handler goes through extensive training to become certified. As a reading dog, Libby learned additional skills such as learning to look at a book, focus among all the diversions, and being comfortable around the many noises and distractions of a school setting.
‘What I’ve noticed with the kids I work with is that just by relaxing they can focus on the words,’ Trina said. ‘Libby is not going to laugh at them and Libby is not going to make them feel like they are being judged, so they can just look at the words, read out loud and feel like this is a safe place.’
Trina described Libby as ‘a very laid-back dog.’ When the child first starts reading, Libby will usually be sitting up checking out the book, soon she relaxes and gets herself in a comfortable position, typically laying down prone or with her head on the book. Trina said at that point she tries to fade into the background and lets Libby do the work. Trina uses different techniques with different students; the younger students frequently need a little more assistance. For example, if the child needs help sounding out a word, Trina will take Libby’s paw and partially cover the word to help them sound it out.
‘It’s really been a neat thing to see the changes,’ she said. ‘One parent said his child hated to read and now he will go grab a book off the shelf – he’s really noticed a difference at home.’
On their last meeting with Libby, the students were presented with certificates and a parting gift of a bilingual book, a little reading blanket and treat holder. The students can use these to read to their own pets, or favorite stuffed animal over the summer. Trina said she knows of two students who have been regularly reading to their own pets at home since starting the program.
Both Libby and Trina are certified through Therapy Dogs Incorporated and they are still pursuing additional training. There are many opportunities for dogs and their handlers to become involved in other types of therapy work. From nursing homes to hospitals, schools to assisted living facilities, therapy dogs provide a valuable service. Trina and Libby also have worked with the therapy dog teams through Canine Solutions in Beaver Dam to do therapy visits at local care centers.
‘Right now my main focus is the R.E.A.D. program,’ Trina said. ‘Libby’s personality is more suited for idle therapy work. She really likes to just lie down – she’s almost cat-like.’
Trina founded BARC! (Badgerland Animal Reading Companions) in 2008 with the goal of expanding the program with other therapy dogs and volunteers. She would like to see a group of dog owners pursue the training necessary to become certified. The need for reading dogs is great and the benefits they provide are invaluable. Trina would like to see the R.E.A.D. program continue to grow in the area.
Jean Ramer, first grade teacher at St. Katharine Drexel School, voiced her support, ‘I think it helps quite a bit,’ she said. ‘The children that are part of the program have increased confidence in reading.’
Libby, whose full name is Liberty, has her own amazing story. Found by some friends of Trina’s, this tiny, half-starved puppy was sitting on the centerline of a Florida highway. She was about six-weeks old, emaciated, and had lost hair because of mange. Trina took on the challenge of trying to nurse the poor puppy back to health.
‘Through all that, taking her to the vet for all the procedures and surgeries, she would always go into the vet with her tail wagging,’ Trina said. ‘A person would be kind of bitter after all that, she just has this wonderful disposition and has always been that way.’
The R.E.A.D. program is completely volunteer; Trina receives no compensation for the many hours she spends in the classroom and in preparing Libby beforehand. Libby is meticulously groomed before coming into the school, this helps to lessen the likelihood of any allergic reactions. Trina’s reward comes in the form of helping children discover a love of reading.
‘I enjoy just seeing how the kids are so excited to come and read,’ she said. ‘It’s a way that I can help out with the two things that I really enjoy. And then there’s encouraging a compassion for animals. Some of the kids don’t have pets at home and they’ve never really had much exposure to a dog. They can see that they are beings that can be affectionate and a positive part of their life. Animal welfare is another thing that is important to me, so to cultivate those things all at the same time has been very rewarding for me.’
Not only is the R.E.A.D. program fun for students, there are studies that have proven the therapeutic benefits to being around animals – they help to increase relaxation and lower blood pressure. With the national ‘America Reads’ program stating that 40-percent of fourth graders read below their grade level, and the American Library Association estimate of 27 million functionally illiterate adults in the United States, programs that support literary skills are needed.
‘Reading is so important,’ Trina said. ‘They’ve found that kids, especially those with low self-esteem or self-confidence, are much more likely to interact with an animal than another person. So if we can make it fun and get that ball rolling and get them when they are learning to read, it can help them become successful and confident readers and help their social abilities -- it will follow them all their life.’
