Therapy dogs help kids feel special in reading classes

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — When children speak to Hunter, the large, yellow Labrador retriever listens.

Whether 6-year-old Kandyce Wilcox reads the story “Moving Day” or 7-year-old Asad Whitehead reads “Me on the Map,” Hunter sits rapt, soaking in word after word, his tongue lolling out.

Hunter, owned by Natalie Puhak, trained as a therapy dog. He visited Lee Park Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre this month as part of the reading program, “Tail Wagging Tutors.”

This was the second week in a row that Puhak and her group of therapy dogs came to the school so the first- and second-graders could read aloud to the dogs. The program builds confidence in young readers and allows them to practice reading without feeling judged by their peers or the teacher.

“It really helps the kids feel special,” said Puhak. “They want to impress the dogs with their progress.”

The dogs and their owners come to the Wilkes-Barre school from miles around. Hunter and Puhak, who lives in Swoyersville, were joined by Eva Lange of Trucksville, who brought her toy poodle, Buddy, and Bob Adams of Forty Fort, who came in with his Westie, Rudy. Rounding out the group was Pattie DellaRosa of Laflin and her yellow Labrador, Riley.

Each of their dogs has special training as a therapy dog and is certified through the New Jersey-based organization Therapy Dog International Inc.

During a visit on a recent Thursday, the therapy dogs and their owners visited the six first-grade classrooms at the school. The week before, the dogs made the rounds at the second grade classrooms.

During the visit, every student was given an opportunity to read to a dog and received a sticker for their efforts. The Parent-Teacher Association arranged the therapy dogs’ visit, to excite the students about reading.

“The children respond very well, with it being interactive,” said Lee Park Elementary School principal Ann Marie Mantione. “It gives a great chance for the students to read aloud one-on-one with the dogs.”

The local therapy dogs group also visits libraries, nursing homes and hospitals, to cheer up and excite people who need a boost. The group has also raised money for local animal organizations, such as the canine unit of the Wilkes-Barre Township police department.

Zachary Halenda, 7, smiled while he explained that he picked a story about a frog eating a moth to read to Buddy, the toy poodle. Halenda said he loved that the dogs decided to visit the school.

While traveling between classrooms, Adams and his dog Rudy received attention wherever they went. Each of the students petted Rudy on the head, and the white Westie cheerfully complied.

“He enjoys this as much as the kids,” Adams said.