Teacher, dog bring excitement to reading

Marie, the "Reading Dog," was a stray dog covered with burrs when Ramona Williamson discovered her outside of her trailer in Chalmette in the summer of 2006.

"She was the sweetest dog," Williamson said. "Even though she was covered in dirt and burrs, I could tell she was pretty well groomed."

Marie had tags on with her name, but no contact information. Williamson placed advertisements in the paper, but years later she still has not been claimed.

"I could tell Marie was trained because she obeyed commands and she is gentle and sweet," she said.

Williamson, a special education teacher at Andrew Jackson Elementary School, was looking up reading intervention strategies online and discovered "Reading Education Assistance Dogs" or R.E.A.D.

According to Williamson, the program improves children's reading and communication skills by using dogs as listeners.

"Children with poor reading skills and low self-esteem are less likely to feel intimidated reading to a dog," she said. "They can practice their reading skills and gain confidence."

R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owners or handlers as a team. Research has shown that dogs have a calming effect on people, including lowered blood pressure and increased relaxation.

Williamson has registered and trained Marie as a reading assistance dog.

"It is easier for me to ask a child, 'Hey, Marie doesn't understand that word,' or 'Can you read that part to Marie again?' than to ask for myself," she said.

Williamson said students are more willing to interact with animals than another person, and they also forget about their limitations.

"The kids love her, and Marie doesn't mind the attention at all," Williamson said. "I went to several classrooms and they enjoyed reading to Marie."

There are R.E.A.D. programs all over the country, and they have teams that will come out to schools and libraries to visit with children. The handlers/owners will even take appointments....