R.E.A.D. Happenings

School Superintendent Honors Lucy

Earlier this week, I had a very unique and special opportunity to visit Pat Howes' classroom at the Newman School. What was so unique and special, you might ask? Well, first of all, this visit was from 3:15 to 4:00, after the student day had ended. You see, Pat along with her black Labrador, Lucy, work with several students on their reading skills several afternoons each week. Yes, I know many of you do that as well. But what was truly unique was not Pat's work but that of the children and Lucy. Lucy is a licensed therapy dog and both she and Pat have successfully completed training through Caring Canines and the Delta Society. Pat and Lucy are also certified as a Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) team. What was so special was that the two students I observed have begun to develop confidence as readers where none had previously existed. This is in no small part due to their comfort in snuggling up to Lucy on the classroom rug and reading smartly not to each other but to friend Lucy the Lab.

Interestingly, Principal Robert Abbey shares with me that this method has worked effectively not only at the Newman but in similar programs across the country. So sometimes, despite all the research and technology, the comfort of a book, a blanket and friendly puppy can be just the remedy that emerging readers need to gain their "literacy footing" and begin the path towards fluency.

Thank you Pat, the willing students, and most of all, Lucy for providing the comfort level in which these two students are able to develop.

It's doggone fun for kids to read

The Uxbridge Public Library is pleased to announce the return of Thompson, the Reading Education Assistance Dog, and his owner and trainer, the Rev. Judith Brown Osgood.

Thompson and Rev. Osgood are members of Pet Partners of Massachusetts, an affiliate of the Delta Society - which trains and evaluates animals to offer activities in New England communities.

R.E.A.D. was developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals, in Salt Lake City, and has proven to be an inexpensive, effective and fun method to increase the literacy skills of children. Since it began in 1999, there are now 250 certified animals teams throughout the United States working with special education teachers in schools and libraries. Each team goes through a rigorous training and evaluation every two ears for health, safety, skills and temperment.

Thompson is an ideal reading companion, not only because he loves children, especialy those who read to him, but because he helps to increase relaxation by lowering blood pressure. Unlike some schoolmates, Thompson is an attentive listener, who does not criticise or judge, thereby making children more comfortable and lessening their fears and self-consciousness over reading.

The Uxbridge Library will hold two special sessions from now through the end of December: "Thanksgiving with Thompson" and "The Holidays with Thompson". Parents are encouraged to register children on specific registration dates held at the library. All sessions are held in the adult section of the Uxbridge Library.

The registration for "Thanksgiving with Thompson" will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The reading sessions will be held on Monday, Nov. 22, from 5:30-8 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Registration for "The Holidays with Thompson" will be held on Monday evenings, Nov. 29, from 5:30-7 p.m. The reading sessions will be held on Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 30, from 4:30-7 p.m.

Each child will read to Thompson for 15 minutes, without interference from parents or siblings, giving each child undivided attention with Thompson. Only those children who complete all reading sessions will receive a "pawtographed" bookmark by Thompson.

For more information, contact the Rev. Osgood at (508) 278-6097.