Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Livy listens......

Well, it's always said.. that God doesn't close one door without opening another.. and again, I have found this to be true. Livy isn't going to have puppies, and when I got the official word on that... disappointment set in. I had kind of re-arranged the next couple of months thinking that we would have a litter in the house.... but not to be. 

However, a new adventure has come... when Livy earned her therapy dog endorsement last spring, I had been thinking of "what" we were going to do with that. I wasn't sure if I would check in at some of the local nursing homes, or hospitals and see if they wanted a dog team. But, I also had heard of "read dogs" and a couple summers ago, Livy and Camille had done some reading dog at the library. I like the "read" idea, so threw Pet Partners I looked at this closer. I had to take a test for "read" dog (Livy was already accepted because she is a therapy dog).. and it was a mini course which took me about five hours to do. 

I also know a teacher at our local school... and last summer had the opportunity to talk with her about the "read dog" program. She was very interested in that, but it was the only conversation that we had. 

The fall came, we decided to breed Livy... she didn't take and there were (are) no puppies.. and then.. the school called. What I didn't know, is my teacher friend had been working on bringing the idea to the school.. and it was just taking time, as such things do. The school was (is) very excited about the program.. we all met together.. and then it was... "when can you start".  I answered... right away......

So, Livy and I have had our first "read dog" session at our school. We are working with three different children.. but there are more waiting to get in on the program. Since having three children is about an hour and half all on its' own.. I already know that I am going to have to find some more "read dog" teams... (or get some of my student's on board)... but what I can say is our first day went very ... very.... well!!!
Livy loved being with the kids... and at first they were all a little shy. Reading out loud isn't one of their strong suits (thus the dogs come in).. but as they read more and Livy cuddled closer.. their voices got louder and they were so worried about making any mistakes....
Big smiles came from each and everyone.......
And the kids really took to Livy. Karen had given her a cute little puppy cut, so she looks kind of like a brown teddy bear... and I am quite sure that is what drew the kids in....
What I find so fun and interesting is Livy seems to like to look at the books too.... and I say to the kids that Livy has questions about the stories that they read. Not sure if they think I might really know what Livy is thinking, but it does the trick....
I couldn't believe how quickly the morning went by.... we are scheduled for Wednesdays.... and I am already looking forward to next week... and doing my "homework" on finding more teams....
As for Livy... I am thinking she's happier right now being a "read dog" than a mama..... and the joy she is sharing out there is really good for both of us...


Livy... aka  "R.E.A.D dog".....