Dogs Used to Improve Reading Skills and Coral Sunset

Boca Raton News January, 2006

By Nicol Jenkins
STAFF WRITER

Dogs may become the next breed of reading teachers. It's already happening at Coral Sunset Elementary School in Boca Raton.
A white furry dog named Mia visits Julie Marlin's first-grade class once a week. The class of 18 divides into groups and takes turns reading to the pet. Share-a-Pet Executive Director, Sachin Mayi, started the pet reading program. He said it began after hearing of similar programs where children's reading skills had improved from pet therapy.
And the best part for kids stumbling around with nouns and verbs is that the dog doesn't judge, or offer grades.

'It's a fun way for children to practice reading skills. They don't feel intimidated when they read to a pet, "Mayi said. "And the intimidation that someone is judging them is removed, and they feel more comfortable.
"It motivates the kids to read because they're so excited that the dog is there. And those that normally don't volunteer, volunteer because the dog is there." Marlin said.
Marlin is the first grade teacher at Coral Sunset to take part in the program called Paws to Read. But other Coral Sunset teachers are inviting reading program pets into the classroom as well, she said.
Mayi became involved with pet therapy two years ago when he brought his yellow lab Tenzin to a center for severely handicapped children.
"I started getting these smiles and reactions. The therapists there were so amazed from the responses the children get from the dogs, Mayi said. He also visited nursing homes with his pet. After much positive response, Mayi founded Share-a-Pet, a 501c3 organization. He now has 130 volunteers and pets in his group that travel to area schools, nursing homes and centers for disabled children. Though, before visiting area facilities, volunteers must turn pets into therapy dogs through a month-long certification process, he said.

"The dogs have the same affect on children as they do every person they visit, from the elderly to handicapped children." Mayi said. "The immediately open the heart and channels of communication and bring feelings of comfort and love. "
Marlin said the dogs also bring confidence.
"they help the readers who are less confident, or the reluctant readers. The dogs often help to relax the kids and that's what happened with my students. They are more apt to read to the dogs," Marlin said. 'It also has increased the motivation of special needs students. It boosts their (every students) confidence because they are allowed to make a mistake and they're not worried."
Second-grade student Marlon Monteiro can't wait to read to Mia each week.
"It was fun." the 8-year-old said. "They hop on you and he licked people."