Goodrich – Luke Jones of Goodrich sits cross-legged on the library floor, reading from a book sporting a furry cover.
Nearby sits Riley, an equally furry Brittany. Riley is part of the ‘Paws’itive Approach to Tales? (PATT) program in which children read to dogs, currently held Tuesday nights at the Goodrich Branch of the Genesee District Library.
‘I like dogs,? said Luke, 8, who tried reading to his own rambunctious dog at home.
‘It didn’t work out with our dog,? he said.
Along with obedience training, Riley has passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test and completed specialized training to work with children, as well as hospice patients.
Luke finds the canine reading program a relaxing experience.
‘I felt pretty good,? he said.
An 18-month PATT veteran, Riley originally was destined to be a hunting dog, said trainer Mel Trowbridge of Goodrich, but he was ‘such a good calm dog I thought he’d be good for therapy.?
‘I think it’s good for kids to get to read because the dogs aren’t going to correct them,? said April Kleindl, mother of Paige, 8, who’s been involved with the PATT program through Goodrich schools. Paige recently flipped through marigold-adorned pages while reading to Gus, a PATT dog who died unexpectedly last week. Paige knew Gus from school, she said, and was impressed with his listening skills.
Gus, who was 5, was a therapy dog for three years, before PATT was implemented, said trainer Janice Fischer, who took Gus to many area schools, including Oaktree Elementary.
On Wednesday, Oaktree students heard the sad news that Gus was gone.
‘Gus listened to them and was their friend,? said Oaktree Principal Kim Hart. ‘He never argued, never talked back, he never told them they weren’t good enough, he was just always accepting.
‘I certainly hope Mrs. Fischer knows our thoughts are with her. We really appreciated all the times she came here. It was such an opportunity for the kids, probably something they’ll remember the rest of their lives.?
‘I just think it’s such a good program for kids, I’ve seen such a difference,? said Fischer, of Goodrich, in an interview earlier this month. ‘It kind of changes their attitude toward reading.?
Fischer sent a note expressing Gus? sentiments to the children:
‘Dear friends,
Thank you for being so kind to me. I feel like I was the luckiest dog in the world to have so many wonderful friends.
I hope that you treat others the way you treated me, with kindness and a smile.
And just remember that when you read, I’m still listening. Believe in yourself because I believe in you.
Love, Gus?
PATT dog Riley will listen to readers from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday during February at the Goodrich Branch of the Genesee District Library, located at 10237 Hegel Road in Goodrich.