LIBRARY DOGS.COM
~ Jim Bishop
| All-Around READing Dogs | ||
| Wisconsin ~ "Toby" |
Nothing beats a good story Toby has also served as a library dog volunteer. Below is an example of the posters that have been created for the library program. Each dog has one, which is displayed on an easel near the reading room door as a way of introducing the dogs that are there for that week.
This is Toby's poster for the library program. Toby spent his third year as a therapy dog visiting a nursing home that specializes in the care of late-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
How can I help you? Pat feels it is important to take time here and there to recognize the enormous impact our animals have. She says there is nothing “routine” about it, and that many lives have been enriched by their encounters (including the licks and secrets!) with these wonderful therapy dogs. Books about Golden Retrievers and Poodles include:
(Click on the titles above for a brief description and convenient ordering information.) |
|
Toby is a handsome Goldendoodle that lives in Racine, Wisconsin, with his R.E.A.D. partner, Pat, and visits an elementary school in Kenosha. This popular combination of Golden Retriever and Poodle is not a recognized purebred; rather, it is a specific type of mixed-breed dog or “crossbreed.” They typically are loving and loyal, intelligent and friendly, and great with kids. They are known to be easily trained, comfortable with strangers and other dogs, and they love to play—especially retrieving games such as fetching sticks, balls, and Frisbees.
"Go, Dog. Go!" is one of my favorites. During his first year in the R.E.A.D. program, Toby worked with three boys, one in fifth grade and two in third grade. All had reading challenges and lacked confidence in their ability to read. That changed when Toby came into their lives, as all of them made significant improvement by the end of the school year.
Ahh, life is good. Pat obtained permission from the boys’ families to take photos and short movies of their sons with Toby, and she says she is so glad they allowed her to do so as they beautifully illustrate the bond between the boys and Toby.
Boys 'n books, smiles 'n stories ... A retired middle school counselor, Pat says what transpired between Toby and those boys was “one of the most amazing and humbling things I have ever seen.”
|
||
