born to serve
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Harley was exactly what we ordered when we submitted our application. We waited over a year for him but he was well worth the wait. Harley and I were involved in the READ (Reading Education Assistance Dog) program at one of the local elementary schools. We had an entire third grade class that took turns reading to him. This program was developed to help those children that have reading disabilities or are just too shy to read aloud to someone. When they read to the dogs, they are not judged or corrected. They just get that unconditional love and attention from these wonderful dogs.
From the READ program a letter writing campaign evolved. A mailbox was placed with the dog’s pictures around it and the entire school started writing letters to the dogs.
Harley, alone, has at least 50 letters that were written to him that he had to answer. He was invited to lunch, told how cuddly and cute he was, asked questions about where he came from, his family etc. Great idea in getting the children to learn how to write, but kind of backfired on us as it was lots of work answering all those letters as though Harley, himself wrote them! The smiles I saw on their faces were amazing Harley and I also visited the Developmentally Disabled classroom. When we walked in, the smiles and excitement that I would see on their faces was amazing. Harley, could also sense their love for him. He'd just wag his tail, and give them all big, slurpy kisses and then roll over on his back while they loved on him. He was ’their reward for good behavior and finishing their schoolwork. Thank you, again, Beverley, for the many years of hard work and dedication to this wonderful amazing breed. Alane |