Article Contributed on: 2/23/2009 10:24:01 PM
Like my headline? Well, my job as a therapy dog is canine-assisted
literacy, but today I did a little more than read with a child.
We haven't gotten to see eight year old Jill (not her real name) much in the past few weeks. Our usual tutoring visit at
The Bridge Project is once a week, but lately, either she couldn't be there, Mom and I couldn't be there, or the place was closed for a holiday.
Jill had no arithmetic or spelling homework, so she began right away to read a couple of books to us. I sat on a cozy office chair on my blankie at the table between Jill and Mom, and watched Jill turn the pages. I tipped my head in curiosity as she read. She patted and hugged me from time to time. The first book was short and fast, called
Camping.
The second was called
The Jewel Heart. I think Jill thought I would like that book, because my name is Jewel. She did catch my attention every time she read the word, "jewel."
The story was about a couple of dolls, and how they help one another with their talents. One is a dancer and the other plays violin. Something happened in the story and the dancer had to solve a problem so she could dance again. The book was written in 1994. I couldn't find it at the library, but it is available at
Amazon.com.
When the books were closed and put away, the two of them played a version of Monopoly. See the pictures posted with my story. Mom helped Jill count money, and taught her about buying, selling and mortgaging properties, and paying back debts. I think those are good lessons for kids to learn. When it was time to go home, Mom and Jill wrote down how much money they each had, and what properties they owned when they stopped playing. They plan to continue playing it next week after reading and homework are done.
I am glad to be part of Jill's life.
Until next time,
Jewel