Dogs listen to kids who read
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

GOOD AUDIENCE- Oak Hills Elementary School thirdgrade student Alexis Eisenbery, 9, reads "The Bell of Arti" to a golden retriever, Clifford, during a Paws for Healing reading time at the school last week. JANN HENDRY Acorn Newspapers

Several new fourlegged students were welcomed into class at Oak Hills Elementary in Oak Park last Friday.

Affiliated with Paws for Healing, Clifford, Esther, Bailey and Barkley spent March 2 at Oak Hills as part of the national Read Across America program sponsored by the National Education Association to promote reading.

The four dogs listened attentively as students read a variety of stories to them throughout the day. Besides encouraging students to read, the program also helped raise $325 for charity through reading sponsorships the children obtained from friends and family. The money will be donated to an animal rescue group.

"Each child who read left with a paw print dog tag necklace, a bookmark with the picture of the dog they read to and a huge smile on their face," said Carin Nathanson, a parent who organized the event.

When not in school, golden retrievers Clifford and Esther; Bailey, a black Labrador and Barkley, a Great Dane, help provide therapy to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, special education classes and battered women's shelters through Paws for Healing.

The dogs love being around people, said Clifford's owner, Claudine Singer of Simi Valley. Reading to dogs helps the kids gain fluency and confidence, Singer added.

"A dog is nonjudgmental, therefore if a child has a hard time with a word, the dog will simply listen," Singer said. "I speak through the dog. If I see the child has a problem with the word, I'll say, 'Hmmm, Clifford didn't quite understand the word, can you repeat it?'"

Although Oak Hills students have taken part in Read Across America annually for many years, this was the first time dogs joined the children in the program.

The idea to incorporate Paws for Healing into Read Across America came from Nathanson, who had seen children reading to the dogs at the local public library.

"Each year the kids in our fifth grade need to do at least 10 hours of community service work and the parents think of ways they can earn these hours," Nathanson said. "Kids love dogs and they read on this day, so why not combine them?"

Fifth-grade teacher Sandy Hindy loved the idea. Traditionally, each class plans its own reading activities during the annual reading program including inviting parents to read to the class. Students often wear pajamas and bring pillows or stuffed animals.

"This has always been a hit with my students because the parents also share why the selection they're reading holds special importance or fondness for them," Hindy said.

Nathanson said Paws for Healing was such a success that the school may consider inviting the dogs back for next year's reading program.

"I have to say, it was so cute." she said. "The kids, teachers and dogs loved it."