Tail Waggin' Tutors

Dogs. 

Man's best friend. 


It's hard for many people to resist a cute, fluffy dog, especially children.  The people behind the Tail Waggin' Tutors were really onto something when they developed this program.  These are special friends that are trained as therapy dogs.  They come into schools and the children get a chance to read to the dogs.  When we got the news that these canines were coming to first grade, we were thrilled!

You could feel the excitement and anticipation all through our rooms, because today was THE day.   The dogs were coming!  I have to say, that my kiddos were really good while the dogs were in the room.  I was afraid that craziness would reign, but we talked about how they needed to speak quietly so they wouldn't startle them, that they needed to stay in their seats until it was their group's turn, etc. 

I thankfully remembered to snap a few pictures:

This little dog's name is Simon.  Simon's owner told me that they often visit hospitals, and being a Corgi, he sits on a chair so the patients can interact with him.  He made himself right at home in my rocking chair...isn't he cute?!

Here is another group:

This is Max.  He was such a sweetie!  He would look at each child as he or she read.

I couldn't get over how well-behaved the dogs were.  They didn't bark, whine, jump or any of the things MY dogs would have done:

This is the famous Iron Man.  He has been known to knock people over when wagging HIS tail. 

This is Tucker.  He likes to bark...a LOT.  Evidently, he did not feel like having his picture taken!

Do your schools have a neat way to encourage reading?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy Monday!