Rubbing one hand through his blond hair, 9-year-old Brooks Luken sits in the student section of the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, carefully making his way through Scooby-Doo and the Vampire’s Revenge. He occasionally receives help from volunteer Brad Drumm and sometimes gets a nuzzle of encouragement from a tail-wagging teacher named Paws.
Paws is a beautiful Goldendoodle who lives in Dublin and is also 9 years old. Drumm, her owner, registered Paws a few years ago through Therapy Dogs International (TDI), the leading organization for regulating testing and registering therapy dogs and their handlers in all 50 states and Canada.
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“Paws loves to visit and get lots of attention,” says Drumm. “Some children like to practice reading while stroking her head, and sometimes the kids stop reading to show Paws the pictures in the book before continuing on.”
Yes, they actually pause for Paws.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library began offering reading sessions with these furry friends during its summer reading program in 2010. Most branches try to arrange for a weekly doggy visit. In Dublin, Brad and Paws tutor on Monday or Thursday from 4-5 p.m. The program is geared toward grades K-3, though people of all ages enjoy cuddling with canines.
The main objective is to provide a relaxed, comfortable environment where the student can practice the skill of reading with a non-judgmental companion. The dogs remain calm and attentive, even as the child may struggle with words. The young reader can continue to practice and improve while building self-esteem and associating reading with something pleasant. Many times, the student will go home and practice reading to his or her own shaggy friends.
A side benefit of the program occurs when children are not familiar or comfortable with dogs. They get to befriend a well-trained, calm dog and overcome fear or anxiety about being with these patient pups. The handlers benefit as well, as it gives them a chance to give back to the community. If the students improve their reading and do better in school and on tests, as studies have shown, then they are more likely to become successful, productive citizens.
To become a certified therapy dog, each pet must be trained and tested by a TDI evaluator such as Karen Smith of Johnstown. Smith owns the Sunnyside Training Center just north of New Albany and has been teaching pooches for more than 25 years.
“The most successful therapy dogs are those who are friendly to everyone, yet have manners and will behave in public,” says Smith. “Have a lot of people hold and pet your dog when he is young so he gets used to strangers.”
Pups must be 1 year old to be tested, but there is no upper age limit. Smith evaluated an 11-year-old Great Dane recently. Dogs and handlers can attend seven-week long training classes where they learn commands including “leave it,” which encourages them to walk past food without touching it, and “go say hi,” which tells the pooch it’s time to greet guests.
All kinds of canines, from toy poodles to Newfoundlands, can be effective therapy dogs if you find out what they enjoy. Smith has had some furry clients who love nursing home patients and will sidle up to the sickest person in the Alzheimer’s unit, but little kids make the pup crazy. Meanwhile, a Golden Retriever named Lily was brought to Thompson Hall at The Ohio State University last year during finals week to help de-stress the college kids. The handler kept track and more than 500 students petted Lily over the course of 3 hours.
“Her tail never stopped wagging,” laughs Smith.
Paws seems to be great with all kinds of people. Drumm takes her to Kelli Traber’s fourth grade classroom at Wright Elementary School as well as special needs classes and the Alzheimer’s Unit at Emerald Crossings in Dublin.
“Whether it’s special needs children on the floor giving Paws hugs or seniors in wheelchairs who can barely move a hand to pet her, it’s great to see everyone’s faces light up,” explains Drumm.
For seniors, it’s heartwarming, because they are reminded of pups they owned in the past. Also, the simple act of petting man’s best friend can lower blood pressure and heart rate. It can also trigger the release of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin, as well as decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol.
So caress that canine, read with your pooch and share him with others because it’s healthy, and it will lift your spirits and brighten everyone’s day.
Smith adds, “Even if you can only bring your dog out for a therapy visit once a month, it’s worth it to make someone happy, and it sure makes you feel good, too.”
Colleen D’Angelo is a freelance writer who lives in Dublin with her husband, three children and several small animals. She enjoys playing tennis, walking the Dublin bike paths and traveling.
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