Reading Program Summary

River and I completed our stint at the Wickersham Elem reading program. It was to go through May, but I begged off at the end of April. Our end of year schedule is pretty busy and I needed to cut back. It was a learning experience for me and I think it was enjoyable to the children involved. I am not convinced that is was the most effective use of our time and River's particular skills. It was not set up along the lines of what has been shown to be effective at helping with improving reading. Specific goals and developing a relationship by working with the same children seem to be hallmarks of those programs.

I enjoyed the children and encouraging their reading, but preferred discussing their pets and demonstrating River's tricks and, if there was interest, telling them about training. River was agreeable to any activity and excited to be there for visits. His young mistress did not find it interesting and declined to participate. She likes working with children but much prefers the visits at Schreiber where we do AAT in PT area and work with one child over a period of time.

Glasses to Read

Not a catch up by any means, but a brief comment on last week's reading visit. The 4th grade girl read beautifully, if holding the book a bit close. When we chatted after her reading, she mentioned that she had lost her glasses a month ago, but hadn't told her parents. On a hunch, I asked if she could read the sign on the bulletin board across the room - about 8 feet from us - 2 large easy words - poster sized and she couldn't. I asked gently how she managed the board in the classroom and she said her teacher let her get up whenever she needed to.... hmm, so the teacher know she needs and is missing her glasses. She explained further that she feared " a whipping" if she told her parents about the glasses. She told me she was going to tell them soon, even today - trying so hard to please, even a relative stranger like me.

Sigh, I mentioned it to the coordinator, who said the student had a good relationship with her teacher and she promised to check with the teacher about it.

This bright girl also asked me - "Why do we read to the dog?" I explained the premise, that an uncritical audience encourages struggling readers, while thinking to myself, that I am not entirely sure that the goals of this particular program are clear.

Four visits in Three Days, written after the fact

Tuesday - Schreiber Pediatric - PT visit with Pink Girl, she most enjoyed holding the hula hoop for him to jump while she worked at standing up straight.

Wednesday - Acadia Rehab with Ump followed by home visit to MIL, both preceded by River's agility lesson with Karen that morning equals one very tired dog.

Thursday - New visit for a reading program at Wickersham Elementary School. we were in an auditorium seated on the edge of the stage, with another team on the opposite side. I had brought along a blanket as asked, to have specific spot for us to sit. The school was extremely warm. River needed a water break and he wanted to lie on the cooler floor of the auditorium rather than the blanket by the end of our hour. The response to the dog varied; one boy who approached him eagerly had a large dog at home. One girl was utterly terrified of him. I sat between them( instead of River int he middle as usual), she still startled if he even shifted position. She watched his tricks from a distance, took the card we gave her and all but bolted out of there. Most were somewhere in between, fascinated but a little cautious. I think we saw about 5 students. They had short books, read pretty quickly and didn't want to linger. The other team with older class, longer books, I think had 3 students. We will be going weekly, but they will be rotating through different classes, so no one will be returning. From what I've read, most reading to dog programs see a benefit to encouraging readers because the dog is unconditionally accepting. These kids seemed to be adequate readers, perhaps this was a reward, for the novelty? I am even more interested in learning about the READ program now. It seems to be that seeing the same kids would be more helpful to them and even more of an incentive, and more effective as we build rapport with them.

Busy dog week - Sunday was intro to agility with Wendy, Monday - rally class with Wendy; Saturday we'll be at the Gifts That Give Hope Fair stumping for KPETS - he gets Friday off.

The following week is Thanksgiving week, so we had no visits planned. As it turned out, we did end up going to see MIL, who is now in a hospital bed ( she was in a wheel chair our previous visit, had been managing with a cane before that, and walked freely at our first encounter). Amanda came along this time and we brought Noche as well. Both dogs behaved amazingly well; at one point we had them on either side of her in her bed and she had a hand in each one's fur. That was really what she wanted and it brings tears to my eyes recalling it. I am so glad we could provide that simple gift.