JCPS Has Reading Program Utilizing Therapy Canines

Jasper County Primary School is very thankful for our reading program with therapy dogs. The progam is called Reading with Maggie. Maggie was the first therapy dog that visited JCPS to begin this exciting program.

Tanya Kingsley was Maggie’s owner and started the reading therapy program at JCPS. Ginny Spurlock is a retired second grade teacher from JCPS that is now one of our therapy dog owners. Mrs. Spurlock and Mrs. Kingsley come weekly to explore the love of reading with our students. At least four therapy dogs also come weekly with their amazing owners to sit and read with some of the second grade students.

During this time, the students are able to practice their reading skills while reading aloud to the dogs and their owners. It is amazing to see the motivation of our students when reading with our four legged friends. The dogs love this time too.

One of the therapy dogs that visits is named Abbey. Abbey is now registered as a Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) an international group with 20 years of expertise and research that teaches the benefits and “how to” utilize certified therapy dogs to help children explore the love of reading.

The dogs are the main focal point and provide the physiological connection of dog/child physical interaction through the reading process.

Mrs. Spurlock was very proud that our “Reading with Maggie” program at Jasper County Primary School parallels many of their organizational factors which is probably why it has continued over 10 years plus the two years Tanya Kingsley came for Mrs. Spurlock’s second second grade students to read with her Maggie before she retired. The main key is to be sure the children physically connect with the dog throughout the reading process and not just be close by or behind the child and handler.

Go to the ReadingEducationAssistanceDogs Facebook page and explore the beauty of child/dog connection.