Bailey the therapy dog helps Deer Lakes 3rd graders read

As Kayla Paschel read to Bailey, a 14-year old Yorkshire terrier Maltese mix, she felt like the dog could understand her.

“I could feel him listening to me,” said Kayla, 9, of West Deer, who read one of her favorite books, “Michelle the Winter Wonderland Fairy.” “It was really fun to read to the dog,”

For the past five years, Bailey has come to East Union Intermediate Center in West Deer. His visit is part of “Tail Waggin’ Tutors,” a Therapy Dogs International program in which children read to dogs to build confidence in their reading skills.

Bailey frequents the school two times a month with his owner, Jamie Robinson. The two stay for about 90 minutes, listening and helping students read.

“He’s always just been good with kids,” Robinson said of Bailey.

The students who participate in the program are all third graders. Suzan Hensel, an English Language Arts teacher, organized the visits.

Hensel found out about the program through her daughter, a reading specialist, and signed up for it online. Therapy Dogs International then reached out to area certified therapy dog owners, prompting Robinson to volunteer.

“She’s a gem. She’s an amazing person,” Hensel said of Robinson.

The school has about 130 third graders that are split up among six classrooms. Two students from each classroom read to Bailey whenever he visits.

Acting Principal Jodi VanderSchaaff said the program helps students who may be self-conscious about reading aloud in front of classmates.

“One of the big benefits we saw was dogs are not judgmental. If you’re not a great reader, a little pup isn’t going to call you out on it,” VanderSchaaff said. “It’s not maybe as intimidating as if you’re reading in front of your entire class.”

Hensel said the students are always excited to see Bailey, and are grateful they had the opportunity to read to him. She said the visits also can inspire the students to read aloud to any pets they may have at home.

“I’ve noticed the kids will come to me and say, ‘Thank you so much, I got to read to Bailey.’ It’s the littlest thing, but they’re so happy about it,” she said.

When reading to Bailey, the students are split into groups of two. One reads to Bailey for five minutes while the other pets him. Then they switch.

They get to choose any book they want to read to him.

Nine-year-old Luciano Porco read to Bailey for the first time on Tuesday. He read the book “Stick Dog Slurps Spaghetti.” He said he enjoyed the experience.

“He was really cute,” Luciano said.

Robinson said working with the students has been rewarding. She will listen to them read and help them pronounce any hard words.

She notices a change in some of them as they read. Their voices get louder and they get more comfortable asking for help, she said.

“I love seeing it,” she said. “I’m glad that my dog was able to do that.”