In a continued effort to support literacy across Baldwin County, Midway Hills Primary School partnered with the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program, introducing specially trained therapy dogs into their library.
Jennifer Williamson, media specialist at Midway Hills Primary, is over the partnership and highlghted the evidence-based benefits of reading with therapy dogs.
“There's research showing that simply petting or being in the presence of a dog significantly reduces anxiety,” said Williamson. “Many of our youngest readers experience anxiety around reading aloud, and this program provides them with a relaxing and positive environment.”
Weekly sessions allow students to individually read aloud to two specially trained collies, Skye and Laddie, in the school library once a week, guided by their owners Jay and Susan Wucher. Initial responses from R.E.A.D. students and educators were overwhelmingly positive.
“Teachers observed that students returned to class glowing with excitement,” Williamson said. “They were thrilled to engage with the dogs, something many had never experienced before.”
The R.E.A.D. program, an affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals, founded in 1999, provides certified therapy dogs and their handlers to help children improve their reading and communication skills. The supportive, nonjudgmental presence of the dogs encourages children to read aloud confidently, boosting their literacy skills, fluency, and comprehension.
“Our goal is clear,” Williamson stated. “We aim to see literacy rates increase and foster enthusiasm for reading by connecting these positive experiences with reading aloud.”
Midway Hills Primary is the first school in Baldwin County School District to pilot this innovative literacy initiative. Williamson, who was recently recognized through the Malcolm Mitchell Reading Initiative, is enthusiastic about leading beneficial educational programs.
“I’m very excited to jump in with both feet on any new initiative that supports our students here at Midway Hills,” she said.
The program’s success has already inspired interest from other Baldwin County schools, including Baldwin High School, as they explore similar partnerships to further support student literacy.
— Contributed