Sat, October 31, 2009 - 8:59:45

Man’s Best Teacher?

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and even though we’re nearing the end, we wanted to highlight the amazing way that man’s best friend—adopted or otherwise—is making a difference in the lives of children across the country. While you might not expect it, a recent report on CNN revealed that in their own little way, dogs are actually teaching kids to read.

No, it’s not a stunt worthy of David Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks segment.  Instead, the dogs merely snuggle up to struggling students, and listen as the children read aloud from the pages of their favorite books.  And although it may seem insignificant, the simple act of cuddling with a dog while reading can have a dramatic impact.  As a result of reading to dogs for just 20 minutes a week, R.E.A.D, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy with the help of therapy animals, reports that students participating in the program improve their reading skills by an average of two grade levels over the course of a school year.

Teachers and psychologists believe that the effectiveness of this unusual learning method is rooted in the naturally therapeutic effects animals have on humans.  As a Purdue University study found, petting a dog relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, and slows the heart rate. For students who are self conscious or nervous about their own reading abilities, these benefits can help ease their anxiety, while the non-judging nature of an animal helps them overcome any sense of embarrassment and builds confidence. 

While it may seem out of the ordinary, programs like R.E.A.D. and “Sit. Stay. Read.” are powerful examples of the amazing ways in which SMALL is always at work.  Whether it’s the comforting warmth of a dog by your side to help you as you sound your way through each syllable or the friendly smile of the coffee shop barista who never forgets your order, the little, seemingly trivial things can make an enormous difference in the lives of people just like you.  So, open your eyes to the monumental power of small in your own life and discover its limitless possibilities.  You just might find it in the form of a furry, four-legged friend.

Posted by Linda and Robin