Pet project

Kids reading to dogs in Inland programs can boost literacy

11:22 PM PST on Sunday, January 15, 2006

By JAMIE AYALA / The Press-Enterprise

Literacy Snapshot

50 percent of fourth-graders and 40 percent of eighth-graders statewide rea! d at below basic levels.

22 percent of fourth-graders and 21 percent of eighth-graders statewide are proficient or above in reading.

Source: 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress

While reading in Melanie Ruiz's fifth-grade class, children scratch ears, rub bellies or pat furry heads.

Reading never took so much doggone work, but there are never any complaints.

In fact, these and many children across the nation are begging to be part of programs where they read to trained therapy dogs. The idea is gaining popularity as educators look for ways to boost low literacy skills among youth.

"Literacy is a big, hot issue. Anything that helps kids read, people want to try," said Paula Dalby, coordinator of the national R.E.A.D. -- Reading Education Assistance Dogs -- program.

The 2005 National Assessment of Education! al Progress, also known as The Nation's Report Card, shows th! at 24 pe rcent of fourth-graders and 31 percent of eighth-graders nationally are proficient readers. In California, 50 percent of fourth-graders and 40 percent of eighth-graders read at below basic levels.

A 20-minute session reading to Fido could help improve a youth's literacy, say therapy animal trainers and teachers.
Terry Pierson / The Press-Enterprise

Therapy dog Sheeba sits as Kianna Eli, 5 of ! Hemet, reads a book to her during Hemet Public Library's program Bark for Books Saturday.

Despite the lack of human reading abilities, a dog brings interest and motivation to the reading circle, says Meghan Kennedy, senior librarian at the Hemet Public Library. The library started Bark for Books @ Your Library in the summer.

Good Listeners

In dog-reading programs, a handler and a certified therapy dog team up to head to classrooms, libraries or bookstores. Elementary school-aged children read their favorite books while sitting next to the dog.

Reading aloud allows students to apply skills they've learned and build fluency, say educators. The chance for children to form a non-threatening relationship while reading is also important.

"When there's an established bond, there's an increased awareness and children then want to ! take a library card and go out and read more," said Linda Mir! anda, pr ogram manager for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools' Reading Buddies, in which adults read to children monthly.

Bridget Fusilier, of Happy Hearts in Hemet, says Sheeba, her Australian Kelpie, likes to hear stories. Sometimes children point out the pictures or snuggle next to Sheeba, who was once a stray.

"A dog does not criticize or correct, and this gets kids not to be so self-conscious," Fusilier said.

Dogs on Campus

Books on Scooby Doo and other canines surround Ruiz's classroom. The teacher at Dorothy Grant Elementary School in Fontana is definitely a dog fan.

She became a guide dog puppy raiser three years ago. When her German Shepherd named Frieda was released from the program because of elbow dysplasia, Ruiz looked for alternative therapy programs. She decided Frieda would make a good reading pal.

In February 2004, Ruiz and Lori Montigel, who teaches special education students at Cypr! ess Elementary School in Fontana, campaigned and won the Fontana Unified School District's approval to allow therapy and service dogs on campus with permission. In June, Ruiz helped create Paws to Heal, a group of eight teams that visit three local schools and facilities from Upland to Riverside.

Now, any one of her three dogs -- Frieda, Fiona or Reva -- joins her class daily. Ruiz said having the dog helps improve literacy among students, even with English language-learners. It also reduces anxiety and teaches students to be more compassionate by caring for the dogs, she said.

One Tuesday, Fiona, a black Labrador, sprawled in front of the class with her eyes closed, indulging in 11-year-old Raymond Gonzales' comforting strokes as he read to her. Raymond said he doesn't have a dog at home. "The first day I saw a dog in class, all I wanted to do was come to school and read to it," he said.

Elisha Sandoval, 12, said the dogs help pupils practice read! ing. And Clarissa Gutierrez, 10, says she knows it improves r! eading b ecause she makes fewer mistakes and is reading bigger words.

Not a New Trick

The popularity of the program is rising, but research on the use of therapy animals in classrooms began about 20 years ago.

Dorothy Grant Principal Kenneth Decroo says administrators are leery about any new technique or program without evidence of its effectiveness.

"But if there's research and momentum behind it, we're certainly open to bringing it in the classroom," said Decroo, who didn't have to be sold on the dog-reading program. He said he knew the benefits because he was once an animal trainer.

Utah-based Intermountain Therapy Animals, which provides animal-assisted therapy, kicked off the hype in the use of pooches for literacy in 1999. Organizers held a pilot program in a classroom in Salt Lake City.

Today R.E.A.D. is used in 45 states and Canada. There are now 780 teams. Other therapy dog groups, such as the Oceanside-b! ased Love on a Leash, have created similar programs. The Inland area has fewer than a dozen teams that visit schools.

Unusual programs are few in California as educators continue adjusting to 2002 state-adopted instructional materials, says Jane Moore, regional director of instructional support services at the Riverside County Office of Education. Teachers are sticking to the basics of teaching reading, said Moore, who added that she expects to see different applications of skills in the next year..

Last year, Fontana parent Deanna Loerzel said she had difficulty getting her daughter, Ashlee, to read.

"It was like pulling teeth. After 15 minutes, she'd want to be done," Loerzel said. "Now she brings books to me and reads more than she has to."

Ashlee, in Ruiz's fifth-grade class, says she once felt pressured to read, but with the dogs, it's fun. She barely reads at grade level, but Loerzel is confident Ashlee will be much more accomplis! hed by the end of the year with her new enthusiasm. Reach Jamie Ayala at (951) 763-3451 or jayala@pe.com