Jeanne and Hollie
Hollie helps children read
Jeanne Owens
“Hello!” Hollie here bringing you an exciting update. Four and a half years ago my dad, John, and I moved from Kentucky to Arizona. Whew, whose idea was that? 110 degrees in the shade? I was used to four seasons and now there is one, summer all year long. However, I regress, as I want to tell you about a new program at several of our local elementary schools. The new program matches dogs with children to help them learn to read better, known nationally as R.E.A.D. for short. Our local therapy dogs from “Mutts On A Mission” must be registered with Intermountain Therapy Animals, our National organization that provides essential prerequisites, training and tools to becoming a therapy dog team.
After our owners pass a very lengthy and comprehensive written exam, we have to pass a test of obedience including sitting quietly while 30 screaming kids run by! Actually, sitting quietly while our very own child reads to us! Since we are a non-judgmental group, they are not embarrassed if they don’t know a word or mispronounce one; we help them through our humans: “Hollie doesn’t understand that word, can you tell her what it means?” or “Can you tell Hollie about the story in your book?” All the while, I am supposed to be alert and interested! Hard at times not to fall asleep, but I can fool them because I’m still listening with my eyes closed.
My children are from Litchfield Elementary and we have other teams that also go to Barbara B. Robey Elementary and the Odyssey Preparatory Academy in Buckeye. We are hoping to sign on a few more teams as there is a lot of interest in our program. Did you know that if children can’t read by the fourth grade, they are likely to fall behind in their other courses because they don’t understand their lessons? So, if you like to have some fun and help these great kids, contact www.muttsonamission.org, 844-387-4847 or [email protected].