Stewart Students Read to Four-legged Friends

Several second grade students from Brenda McCarthy's, Lauren Healey's and Tara Gerbasi's classes at Stewart School were given the opportunity to participate in Bideawee's Reading to Dogs program.

This well-received program gave students a chance to increase their literacy skills while reading to a canine friend. During the sessions, children read level-appropriate books to a four-legged "partner" in small groups. The situation was very relaxed, with the dog and children sitting together either on the floor, or outside on the grass. This encouraged physical interaction during the session which helped put the children at ease (petting dogs has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce stress).

Children benefited from the patience, acceptance and comfort of the dogs' presence while getting practice with their reading skills in a non-judgmental environment.

The therapy dogs that participated were registered with an accredited animal assistance therapy organization. The typical Reading to Dogs animal has undergone extensive training and is exceptionally social, gentle, smart and obedient. He/she is well-mannered and tolerant of any type of touch or action from adults and children. 

Bideawee's Reading to Dogs program was launched in 2003 and has grown stronger each year. The program was inspired by, and modeled after, the R.E.A.D. program in Utah that was based on the concept that gentle, well-trained dogs (as well as some other pets) would make ideal non-threatening listeners. The positive environment that is created helps to facilitate learning. 

The Reading to Dogs program has been a huge success at Stewart School. The children thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent with their canine friends: "Johan," "Penni," "Coach" and "Tango," as well as with their owners. The groups were facilitated by Mrs. McCarthy, Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Gerbasi. The animal-themed books added to the excitement of the sessions. Some of the texts included Mr. Rover Takes Over by Grace Maccarone, Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers by Laura Numeroff, Marley's Big Adventure by John Grogan, One Smart Cookie by John Nez and Brave Norman by Andrew Clements. The fiction and non-fiction books covered a variety of genres.

After each session, students were given the opportunity to reflect on their experience with written expression and illustrations. Improvements were seen in fluency, expression, interest and confidence.

"Through this unique program, our hope is that a community of lifelong readers will be cultivated," says Mrs. McCarthy. "We are looking forward to working with Bideawee again in the future."