THE READING DOG?

Last week, I spent some time with a Nashville book club.  As always, I totally enjoyed myself and even ate another Dilly Bar — not sure how many that makes since Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen came out in hardcover in February 2008 but imagine I’ve come close to eating my weight in DQ treats.

But for me the highlight of the evening was meeting Hinckley, the reading dog!  OK, he really doesn’t read but he loves to be read to. In fact, Hinckley, a standard poodle, is an official Reading Education Assistance Dog or R.E.A.D. dog.  The READing Paws program utilizes nationally registered animal-owner/handler Therapy Teams who volunteer to go to schools and libraries as reading companions for children.

How cool is that?  For a child struggling to read, what could be more comforting than to read to a non-judgmental friend like Hinckley?

I was well aware of therapy dogs but was completely unaware of this creative, gentle, effective reading program.  To Hinckley and his devoted owner, Dianne May, thank you for taking the time to help a child discover the wonderful world of words.

Hinckley is enjoying Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen

Posted March 12, 2010 at 12:12 pm · 3 comments · Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. bermudaonion (Kathy), March 12th, 2010, 12:21 pm

    It wouldn't take many Dilly Bars to equal your weight. I love the reading dog idea - our dog would have been ideal for that.

  2. Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog, March 12th, 2010, 2:22 pm

    I would like to volunteer my hound for the READ program. She loves being read to...but she's likely to fall asleep, then snore, then drool upon the reader. Then again, there's nothing less judgmental than a sleeping dog (who will snuggle you into feel less self-conscious). Thanks for sharing your adventures!

  3. Randal Patrick, March 13th, 2010, 7:33 am

    My dog can read, but he usually just waits for the movie.

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Susan Gregg Gilmore