[News] Dogs Lend An Ear To Help Kids Read
 

Davie resident Debbie Morris, 34, knew how to inspire her son to pick up a book during summer vacation after she saw 6-year-old Jacob reading to their Dalmatian, Blue.

Seeing a notice for Wags & Tales in a Broward County Library flier, Morris and Jacob headed to the Davie-Cooper City Branch to expand the youngster's furry audience.

''The more you read, the more experience you gain,'' Morris said happily as Jacob began to read from Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.

The lucky listener was Trinket, a certified registered pet therapy Yorkshire terrier who has been listening to stories at the Davie-Cooper City Branch for five years.

''About 20 percent of dogs and cats exhibit this type of personality, where they're so in tune to what people need from them -- in this case, listening,'' said Trinket's owner, Kathy Allsworth of Plantation.

Wags & Tales is one of more than 20 educational outreach programs in schools, libraries and Boys and Girls Clubs, headed by the Humane Society of Broward County, said Caroline Crane, the society's director of education. The program allows children between ages 5 and 12 to read an age-appropriate short story of their choice to a pet therapy dog. Owners and pets go through orientation, six weeks of training and testing to make sure the dogs can handle noises and special-needs equipment and follow obedience commands.

Implemented five years ago in the library system by Broward Humane Society volunteer Marnie Bellavia, Wags & Tales spread into Broward schools two years ago.

Crane said there are proven therapeutic benefits for children who stutter or have reading difficulties to read to an animal who won't rush them or make them feel inadequate.

''I've had Yorkies for 30 years and I've never had one like this before,'' said Allsworth, who first got involved because she wanted Trinket to help ease loneliness for some shut-ins. ``At 6 months, you could tell she was very special. And I've seen 120-pound Great Pyrenees do Wags & Tales. It has nothing to do with the breed.''

Trinket is one of 13 dogs in the state registered for pet therapy.

Crane said the Broward Humane Society is the largest adoption agency in the Southeast completely financed through donations.

The organization will host a PetSet fundraiser on July 28 at Nikki Marina in Hollywood.

For the Wags & Tales schedule at various library branches, visit www.broward .org/library/wagsandtales .htm. Advance registration is suggested.

The Humane Society is at 2070 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach. For information, visit www.browardhumane.com.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...y/15033557.htm

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