LIBRARY DOGS.COM
~ Sigmund Freud
| All-Around READing Dogs | ||
| Texas ~ "Korie" |
Is Korie listening to "Puss 'n Boots" or When Korie continued the R.E.A.D. Program at the elementary school Kojak had visited, with the same teacher, there were two unsighted children in the class. One day the children were learning to read their numbers. The teacher had made cards with numbers and Braille; for example, the number 1, with Braille below the number to spell out “Number One,” and one button in the right-hand corner. A child took Korie’s paw and said to her, “I know you can see the number, but I cannot, so you can feel the Braille,” and then moved Korie’s paw to the button telling her, “There is one button.” Korie was purring on her blanket and really paying attention to the child. Korie’s household now includes a new German Shepherd puppy named Brannen that is in training for pet therapy and R.E.A.D. For now he is just being a little boy puppy, but he loves paper and books and reading glasses so he’s expected to be a great R.E.A.D. team member. Books about Maine Coon cats include: Hooray for Christopher! by Virginia Langley |
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After being trapped in a garage and then rescued right before Hurricane Rita hit Texas in 2005, Korie became the newest member of a household that included Angel and Kojak, two German Shepherd Dogs. Angel and Kojak had been participating in Animal Assisted Therapy since 1997 and Kojak had been a R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®). team member since 2005, and that is how Korie happened into the realm of therapy and the R.E.A.D. program. The loss of Angel in 2005 and Kojak in 2006 was devastating. Because they had made so many special friends and helped so many children in their successful therapy and R.E.A.D. programs, their owner felt a need to continue the visits petless for several months. Korie had to live in her new home six months before being certified, but she is a now an official Delta Society Pet Partner and has belonged to R.E.A.D. since March 2006. Along with her owner, she has visited all the facilities Angel and Kojak had visited previously, and they have even added some new ones. Korie is a Maine Coon cat, a breed that characteristically exhibits a clown-like personality, an affectionate nature, amusing habits and tricks, and a willingness to ‘help’ with any activity. Maine Coons are relaxed and easygoing in just about everything they do. They generally get along well with kids and dogs, as well as other cats. Korie is a great example of this breed. She calmly and gently listens in special needs classes, where five different children read to her on a weekly basis. . |
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