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Feb 3, 2007 1:23 pm US/Central
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Therapy Dogs Help Kids Read
by Bridgette Bornstein
(WCCO)
Parents spend hours helping kids learn to read -- sounding out the letters, helping with the really hard words.
It works well, but one school in the Twin Cities has an idea to help even more -- the family pet.
At Eden Lake Elementary School, getting ready for this big day takes lots of work hitting the books.
"You'll find him on his bed reading next to his stuffed animal," said parent Tracey Orr.
"They come and they're so excited when the dog comes," said teacher Pat Kinch.
On Friday, pups Cooper and Chopper came to class and they were ready to flop down and listen to some stories. Olivia Swanson, 6, had been practicing for a whole week.
Parents can't believe the difference, how fast their children are learning to read with the dogs around.
"It's made a big difference on Tyler. He loves to read because the dog is not judgmental. The dog is not sitting there going, 'Uh oh, what was that word,'" said Orr.
"Chopper and Cooper came to summer school one day a week last year and we had kids sign up and we were overscheduled," said Kinch. "Every kid that was in summer school wanted to come and read to the dog."
"I really want to do it well," said 7-year-old Louis Dietz.
"When you're with a dog they don't ... talk to you and you feel more comfortable," said 9-year-old Ali Dietz.
"It's a lot more fun reading to a pet than just a bunch of people," said 9-year-old Jack Plant.
"He doesn't make me nervous or anything," said student Olivia Swanson.
Children are reading to dogs all across the country. It's catching on because it seems to work. Kids are eager to get every word just right because they want to get those tails wagging.
Cooper and Chopper are not the only dogs helping children read.
There are more than 1000 certified therapy dogs involved in reading-assistance programs across the country.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)