TESTIMONIALS
Why I do this?
I love to see the smiles on the kids faces. When I hear them reading it relaxes me, especially when they stroke my ears or rub my belly at the same time. Plus I get to hang out with some of my canine friends and go to lots of different places with my mom. It beats having to stay home, paws down!
Colden Dog
Wendell, NC
I like taking my dog to the libraries because he is full of such love that it would be selfish to keep him to myself. Colden has a great temperament and personality, he has never met anyone who doesn't fall for his charms. He loves getting belly rubs and I love hearing all the stories from the kids. Many of them read books, I loved as a kid. Others read about subjects that entertain or enlighten me. I always walk away having learned something, so I get rewards right along with the kids and the dog.
Dawn Friedel
Wendell, NC
What I get out of this
A mom approached me after her child read to the dogs. She said, her reader "hates to read at home." But the child had no problem reading to both the dogs at the event and multiple times! Moments like these are why we have the dogs visit.
Judy Blaner
Middle Creek Community Library
How do Wiley students feel when they are at a See Spot Read event? In their own words, they feel happy, excited, loved, calm and confident! Reading with the dogs creates a motivational environment for students to practice their reading fluency. As an adult, I know the incredible value of the attention our students receive from the caring SSR volunteers. Thank you for bringing such joy to our school days!
Jill Molloy
Wiley Elementary
The See Spot Read program was wonderfully effective at generating enthusiasm for reading with our students. Proficient and struggling readers alike were excited for the opportunity to come and read with the dogs and their handlers. The handlers provided gentle guidance to the readers while the dogs were excellent listeners. This opportunity to receive positive feedback about their reading efforts helped them gain confidence in their abilities. Thank you for providing this program in our school.
Laura Herman
Richard Creek Elementary
Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who have supported the See Spot Read program at Richland Creek Elementary school this year. This is such an amazing program and the kids are always so excited to come and visit with the dogs and their handlers. I am so grateful for their contributions to help encourage our readers who were struggling and help all gain confidence in their reading abilities. Thank you!
Candy Garza
Richland Creek Elementary
Thank you for organizing this wonderful program at Richland Creek! My child has [thoroughly] enjoyed See Spot Read. In conversation with other parents, their children loved it too! I've enjoyed participating as a volunteer and walking the kids to and from their classroom. They get very excited about which dog they will read with and always love to pet, hug and spend time with the dogs! I couldn't recommend a more rewarding program for students, parents, volunteers and teachers to participate in!
Jenny Burns
Richland Creek Elementary
There are not enough great things to say about the See Spot Read program at Penny Road Elementary. I have been at Penny Road for 4 years now and I expose my students to the therapy dogs and their owners each year. I have had children who were very frightened of dogs over the years. However, with the calmness of the dogs and the encouragement and patience of the owners their fear subsides. The children in my room look forward to reading to the dogs each week. Even those students who are developing early reading skills can participate. The owner's are always willing to read to the children as well. The pets and owners have become a part of our classroom. We invite them in during festivities so the parents of the students can meet the dogs and the wonderful owners who take time out for their children.
Heather Brush
Penny Road Elementary
The See Spot Read program at Green Magnet Elementary School has been such a valuable experience for our students. As a reading specialist, I want kids to have warm, fuzzy feelings toward reading and books. What better way to create those feelings than by reading to a warm, fuzzy creature? See Spot Read provides a non-threatening avenue for kids to practice their reading in a way that feels rewarding to them. The dogs are superstars on the campus, and everyone wants to work with them. We are excited to have them back at our school this year!
Julia Robertson, reading specialist
Green Magnet Elementary School
See Spot Read has been a huge success at our school. The students love reading to the dogs and aren't a bit concerned if they struggle a bit. It's a wonderful, stress-free way to build fluency. Another unanticipated advantage is that the students who are leery of dogs have a safe, low key opportunity to spend some time easing those fears.
Jennifer Hinton
Durant Road Elementary
"I just wanted to share a conversation I had with one of our lucky second grade students. She was so excited to see me and share the following: 'I read some books to Sierra---she's a therapist dog! Sierra says my reading was good and she gave me a bookmark! It made me feel good to read to her and I got to pet her and I gave her a kiss. She gave me a high five.' This little girl was beaming about her time with Sierra. She isn't much for talking or retelling with details, but today she was. Please thank all the volunteers for their great work. You bring out the best in our kids!"
Lisa Landsberg
Abbotts Creek Elementary