On Wednesday March 21, the Walpole Library had a Reading Education Assistant Dog (R.E.A.D) dog named Lucy come in to listen to young children learning how to read. The purpose of dogs like Lucy is to help children stay relaxed and composed when learning how to read out loud. Lucy is not only a R.E.A.D dog, but she is a registered therapy dog for the Massachusetts Pet Partners as well. Therapy dogs visit patients at hospitals and elders at nursing homes to make them feel better. Lucy has been working over nine years with her owner, Pat Howes, and has made appearances on TV from the Arthur show to WBZ TV.
Lucy started off her education at Syracuse University and furthered her training at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in order to become a licensed therapy dog. After graduating, she worked with Howes in a first grade class in Newton Elementary School. Lucy enjoys listening to children read–she even lifts her head up with subtle excitement when the kids show her pictures on each page. She has worked with students who struggle with reading and has given many of them the confidence to succeed in literacy.
After spending six years at Newton Elementary School, Lucy and her owner retired and moved to Walpole. Lucy is now a more active therapy dog and currently makes appearances at the Norwood Library, the Needham Library, the Walpole Library and the Barnes and Nobles at the Walpole Mall. As a therapy dog, Lucy visits patients at hospitals and elders at nursing homes to make them feel better. Lucy puts people at ease because it is proven that petting an animal lowers blood pressure and increases happiness.
Along with many library visits, Lucy has made appearances on numerous shows on TV to spread the knowledge and importance of therapy dogs. She was on two episodes–Lost in Paradise and Pride of Lakewood–of the Arthur TV show. Also, the admirability for Lucy was quickly spread when WBZ TV made a story about her efforts as a R.E.A.D dog and how other canines like her help make children stronger readers. Lucy has gone as far as Pittsburgh to read with children and even got the opportunity to sit on Mr. Roger’s trolley.
Lucy is 11 years old and has spent the majority of her life helping people of all ages in many different ways. The Walpole Library is happy to announce future visits from Lucy in the new library. She will work frequently with young children in the Walpole Library’s young programs. The new Walpole Library is taking on a greater role in community programs, like Lucy, since their big move to the new facility.
