First-grader Laiyo Aguilar reads to Keoki, a poodle from Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. The Morton Grove-based organization works with librarians to arrange opportunities for students to read to dogs. (Courtesy of Mundelein School District 75)
First-grader Olivia Garcia reads to Mollay, a Pomeranian from Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. Rainbow’s dogs visit the school regularly to work with young students. (Courtesy of Mundelein School District 75)
Hayden Gates reads to a Keoki from Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy.
Reading to dogs gives young readers a chance to practice reading aloud to a friendly, nonjudgmental listener. (Courtesy of Mundelein School District 75)
First-grader Rose Velazquez reads to Spencer as the collie’s Rainbow handler Laurie Lane looks on. (Courtesy of Mundelein School District 75)
First-grader Maddie Letz reads to collie Kylie at Washington Elementary School. Reading to dogs gives young readers a chance to practice reading aloud to a friendly, nonjudgmental listener. (Courtesy of Mundelein School District 75)
Some children entered the classroom timidly, some were excited and others sat down and began playing with the Pomeranian, poodle, and collies who visited Washington Elementary School in Mundelein recently.
It was part of the Rainbow Read to Dogs program. Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy of Morton Grove works in conjunction with many librarians to provide this service.
During a recent visit, Washington teachers invited their students, typically beginning readers, to share stories with the visiting dogs. Dogs visit Washington students a couple of times a month.
“Some students may feel uncomfortable reading to another person. This time with dogs allows them to read to a nonjudgmental listener,” said Principal Jim Kallieris.
“I like seeing the students’ smiling faces when they are working with the dogs. They also tend to skip back to class when their time is up, which indicates to me that they enjoyed their time reading to a dog and are ready to take on the rest of the day.”
