There was a girl in my grade school class who had the hardest time reading out loud to the class, as we were compelled to do on a regular basis. She was quiet, shy, and I’m sure this was the worst part of her day.
I felt so sorry for her, and wished I could do something to help her be less shy or something to help her gain the confidence to be able to read out loud without such a struggle. If only I knew Benson back then!
I just started working on a fairly extensive project to help the Goodnow Library in Sudbury improve their website and overall public persona. The first step in this was to photograph one of the weekly story time sessions with Benson, the reading therapy dog.
The way it works is Benson, trained through the Pets and People Foundation, is just there for the kids to read to. He is a really mellow dog, rescued from Tennessee by Kim, and is happy to just lay there and listen to the kids read out loud. Kim was a librarian, and she helps the kids with the more difficult words sometimes, but mostly, it’s just the kids and Benson spending some time together.
How awesome is that?! What a supportive and relaxing way to be more comfortable with reading out loud, and to a greater extent, becoming more comfortable with public speaking in the future, to gain self confidence, and to pet on a soft, loving dog like Benson!
Wonderful story! I work with a rescue group that pulls from the same shelter that Benson came from! It is so wonderful to see these happy endings!
I agree, Sherry, it is great to see these happy endings! Which rescue group do you work with? Do y’all specialize in a certain breed?
I have seen the wonderful work Kim & Benson do as a team. They bring happiness and support to many people who need some companionship.
I was talking to Kim about where else Benson volunteers his cozy companionship. It does sound like he’s a HUGE help to all kinds of folks! I mean, who can’t love Benson!?