Thomas the Therapy Dog

Our daughter in Vermont called one day and said, “Quick!! Go on the website and look at the dog named Thomas. He seems perfect for you!” And so we did.

It was a long process to get to this point but the minute we laid eyes on this happy boy, we were smitten. We took a toy ball with us to go meet him in his foster home and when we rolled it or threw it for him; he looked at us as if to say, “Hey, folks, I am not a retriever! I’m a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!” Sure enough he is exactly what Cavaliers are bred to be—he gives and receives love in a multitude of ways! Knowing what this would mean to me, my husband gave him to me as my birthday present.

In early August, 2008, Thomas came to live with us. He was 5&1/2 at the time, thoroughly house trained and loving. But he had had no other training that we could discern. So off to school he and I went. He was at the top of his class and the only one who passed his Canine Good Citizen test—after all, he is a Cavalier! J

I had two goals: one was to get more exercise for myself and walking him 4-5 times a day has done just that. The other goal was to have a Therapy Dog. I am a Teacher Trainer and Reading Specialist who worked for many years as a staff developer. I also teach at the graduate level at a local college and a university and have done so for over 15 years. I was fully aware of the magic that occurs when poor readers read to a dog and I wanted to have a dog that would be right for this “job”. Thomas was that dog. So after passing the CGC test, we went for the Therapy Dog Test and again, he passed with flying colors.

I called a former (literacy) student who has become a principal of an elementary school in the district where we live. She was thrilled about my proposal to have Thomas come to her school so struggling readers could experience reading aloud with comfort.

Children were selected, permission slips sent home, possible allergies checked out and a month ago, Thomas was launched in his new career! When I get out his Therapy Dog bandana and leash, he whimpers with excitement. His tail wags and he is ready to go! We sit in the library and his “readers” come one at a time.

This is Jose...

Jose comes with a huge grin on his face. The librarian, who is in the room but doesn’t participate, said that she had never seen that child smile before—ever. Now he smiles each time he comes!

Here is Eve...

Eve never spoke to people, rarely smiled and hated reading. Now, only a few weeks later, she reads to Thomas in a clear voice with a great deal of expression. Often a shy smile breaks out and her face lights up.

This is Helen and her new friend...

The first time Helen came she read so quietly that no one could hear her, now she comes early, waits her turn (impatiently) and reads to Thomas!

And here is Azael...

Azael, our oldest reader, can’t wait to come each week. He loves petting Thomas and Thomas loves being petted and read to by Azael.

For his part, Thomas either sits next to the children or lies on the floor. It doesn’t matter—who else but a dog would sit there and never criticize, correct, demean or embarrass? He just wags his tail and looks happy!

We’ve expanded our Therapy Dog work and now go to a hospital one night a week to bring smiles to the faces of the patients. There are a number of people and dogs in the Animal Assisted Therapy Group who go on Tuesday nights but Thomas is the only little one. The others are all big enough to lay their heads right on the bed to be petted. Thomas has to be lifted up but he always wags his tail and gets a lot of attention.

I wanted to share with you all what joy and happiness that Thomas has brought, not just to us, but to so many others. Despite my work at the college, and my husband’s numerous activities, working with Thomas has become an important part of our lives. We love our little “fur baby”. We keep checking the website. Who knows when Thomas’s perfect sibling will show up????

Marjorie & Sheldon