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Van Corlaer
Elementary School
Golden Retriever
Brings Comfort to Children
Therapy Dog Helps Van Corlaer Students Read, Cheer Up
Four Van
Corlaer Elementary School students are meeting regularly with
Certified Therapy Dogs for help with reading. Research has
shown that the non-threatening and non-judgmental time with the
dogs leads to increased reading scores and improved
self-confidence. Van Corlaer students who have met with the
dogs twice are already showing improvement.
 A
Golden Retriever named Sasha sits down on the classroom floor
with two elementary school students. One student begins to
read. As he holds the book with one hand, he begins petting his
furry friend with the other. He looks up just to see if Sasha
is really paying attention. Sasha is not only paying attention
but she looks like she is enjoying the story and the company of
her reader.
Sasha and Ruby,
her handler, visit the four students at Van Corlaer about six
times a month. The purpose of her visit varies from student to
student but in general terms the dog is there to provide
emotional support and unconditional love. According to Jennifer
Paley, a second grade teacher at Van Corlaer who owns a therapy
dog, the purpose is different for different students. "Therapy
dogs help children get over their fears in a very short time,"
she said.
Paley said that
while the students have met with the dog only twice, even the
handler has noticed a difference. "The children were more
relaxed, leaning into the dog and petting her and they were more
confident," said Paley. "I noticed the kids smiling immediately
when they saw the dog."
Paley said that
the kids working with the dog are reserved children. She was
happy to see one student go over and pat the dog on the head and
say with a huge smile," Bye Sasha, see you next time."
 According
to Paley, the program works, "because therapy dogs don't judge
struggling readers. A therapy dog won't stop you and tell you
you're doing it wrong." She added, "therapy dogs build
confidence in youngsters because the dog just looks at the child
lovingly while he's reading the best story in the world."
Therapy dogs
are also used in nursing homes, hospitals and in stressful
situations including 9 /11 and the Oklahoma bombing particularly
to help victim's families and the rescuers at these sites.
Michelle Van
DerLinden, principal at Van Corlaer Elementary School said,
"it's great to see these students excited to read and learn."
According to Van DerLinden, Sasha is at Van Corlaer for a
multi-purpose visit. "There are two students who need cheering
up," said Van DerLinden. "Sasha cheers them up and brightens
their day," she added.
Each student
was given a photo of himself reading with the dog. Paley said
one of the students was spotted handing out copies of the photo
to everyone in the hall telling about his experience. "Again,
this was a shy child with a big smile," said Paley.
"The kids are
happy to see the dogs and are more excited to read to the dogs,"
said Paley. Just to be able to sit with the dogs, "makes them
feel special that they were selected to do this." She added,
"other kids are chomping at the bit to get to read to the dogs."
Since studies
have indicated that reading to therapy dogs does help improve
reading scores, Van DerLinden said they will be doing a pre-test
and post test and hope to measure their own success.
 Paley
got the idea to bring therapy dogs into school when she brought
Ella, her Newforundland dog, into class one day. "The kids were
so excited and great with her," she said. "One of the kids who
was very hesitant around Ella - and is one of the four students
involved in the program now - came by my room expressing concern
that she was home alone." Paley said she was moved enough to
get in touch with a chapter of Therapy Dogs International (TDI)
to see if they would be able to work with Van Corlaer.
Sasha won't be
the only one making a difference in the lives of these young
students. A poodle named Bacca will also be visiting the kids
regularly. His schedule is currently being worked out.
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