A youngster works on her reading in the company of a therapy dog at the Palm Beach County Library. Photo provided
By Arden Moore
Now this just may surprise you: The individual who may spark an interest in your child to read is one who cannot read a single sentence. In Palm Beach County, there are a score of such reading motivators who communicate with a friendly lick and a happy tail wag.
Libraries within the Palm Beach County system plus some municipal libraries are opening their doors throughout the year to well-mannered therapy dogs who quietly sit as grade school and middle school children read aloud from the pages of books.
The county programs are referred to as A.R.F.— for Animal Reading Friends. City libraries, such as Boca Raton’s, describe these kids-reading-to-therapy-dog events as “tail-wagging tutors.”
“Our mission is to connect communities, inspire thoughts and enrich lives,” says Sandra Frens, manager of integrated marketing and communications for the Palm Beach County Library System. “As such, a therapy dog reading program accomplishes all three.”
I can personally attest to that statement. Kona, my sweet terrier mix, and Casey, my confident orange tabby, are both certified therapy pets. We never turn down an invite from libraries or schools to engage kids in reading and to inspire them to bond with pets. These therapy dog visits enable children to hone their reading skills and much more.
I met someone recently who I regard as the top dog in therapy dog volunteerism in Palm Beach County. Alan Levine is the founder and president of Certified Therapy Dog, an all-volunteer group based in Boynton Beach.
Levine survived a health scare in his early 50s.
“I was given a second chance at life and realized how dogs can make you feel better,” says Levine, of Lake Worth Beach, a retired market researcher who devotes his time to connecting people with therapy dogs.
He adds, “Alerting others of the impact of therapy dogs has been a personal mission to me.”
He launched this nonprofit about 15 years ago. He is now recognized nationally as a certified AKC training evaluator and in-demand speaker spotlighting the many qualities pets can bring out in people.
“Yes, we are based here, but I get calls for help about setting up therapy pet programs from people from all over the country,” Levine says. “You name the state, we’ve probably talked with someone about creating a therapy dog program there. The whole concept of therapy dogs has really grown in recent years.”
The local Certified Therapy Dog teams include medical doctors, psychologists, business owners, retired military, homemakers, teachers and other volunteers who range in age from 18 (minimum age required to participate) to their 80s. Their four-legged partners include a variety of canine breeds and sizes that include Maltese, Doberman, Great Dane, lots of golden doodles and many mutts.
Therapy dogs are often regarded as the goodwill ambassadors of the canine world. When they enter libraries or schools, smiles often pop up on people’s faces.
“Therapy dogs really pose a nonthreatening and nonjudgmental environment for kids learning to read in schools and at libraries,” Levine says. “We operate in the currency of smiles.”
Libraries set aside a spot for the reading experience. Kids may sit in chairs or on blankets by the therapy dog with the handler nearby.
“We don’t care if the children hold their books upside down when connecting with our therapy dogs,” Levine says. “Our primary objective is to create a positive experience for that child when he or she is holding a book. Our dogs are there to provide encouragement.”
Certified Therapy Dog teams also visit area high schools during final exam weeks.
“These students come into the media center and play with our therapy dogs before they go to take their tests,” Levine says. “Our dogs are helping them focus on their tests and not be so nervous.”
For many years, Levine’s four-legged partner has been a golden doodle named Sophie. Together, they have logged more than 8,000 therapy dog visits. He shares their antics in a book he wrote called Sophie The Amazing Therapy Dog: A Passion for Compassion.
“My book is about kindness and the search for your own happiness starts with being kind to others,” he says. “Sophie is a very loving dog who is now 14 and retired.”
Carrying on this therapy mission is Loki, an 8-year-old cocker spaniel who was surrendered several times to animal shelters before Alan and his wife, Paula, adopted him.
“We love Sophie and Loki,” he says. “It is us who feel so blessed to have them in our lives.”
Therapy dogs at libraries
If you are interested in booking a reading session with a therapy dog for your child at a library, reach out to the library of your choice. Typically, the sessions are about 15 to 20 minutes in length.
Each library requires a parent/guardian signed waiver and asks participants to arrive early to select books to read to the therapy dogs.
If you want to learn more about teaming up with your dog by completing therapy dog training, contact Alan Levine, founder of Certified Therapy Dog, at www.certified
therapydog.com or by calling 561-512-0015.
Arden Moore is an author, speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Learn more by visiting www.ardenmoore.com.
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