Hazel is my 8 year old Cockapoo. She is a nationally certified therapy dog and a member of the Caring Paws Therapy Dogs group in Weare NH. We visit people in assisted living homes and hospitals, but our favorite visits are with children. I was really excited to introduce Hazel to the children I get to see everyday at A.E.S. Children are drawn to animals and will often have more confidence reading to a therapy dog than to an adult. It adds novelty and excitement to reading and provides great reading practice for children. The Family Fun Science Night at AES was well organized and a lot of fun! Many thanks to the A.E.S. PTO for inviting Hazel and I. I think the children enjoyed meeting and reading to Hazel almost as much as Hazel loved meeting them!
By: Emily Hartnett