Darwin Childers reads aloud to... HOLLY, Michigan – He’s probably heard the same story over and over again, but for Calvin, it’s all in a day’s work.
An American Staffordshire Terrier/Boxer mix, Calvin, 8 is a “Tail-Waggin’ Tutor,” a title he earned by becoming a certified Therapy Dog through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
On Wednesday afternoons, Calvin can be found at the Holly Township Public Library, listening intently as children practice the skill of reading.
“It’s amazing to see the transformation with some of the kids,” Calvin’s owner and handler, Hope Ponsart said. “They might be very shy and not want to read aloud, but once they get settled in and start petting Calvin, I feel like I disappear and they focus on the dog.”
According to TDI, many children chosen for this program have difficulties reading and as a result, have developed self-esteem issues, making them self-conscious when reading aloud in front of classmates. Reading to a dog helps the child overcome these issues, allowing him or her to build reading skills by reading without feeling judged.
Kids can read to Calvin every ...
“A lot of kids are very hesitant at first, but once they start, it’s just them and the dog – they don’t have to read perfectly and nobody is correcting them – it’s just all about enjoying the experience of reading,” Ponsart said.
Darwin Childers, 6 of Holly read “Good Night, Gorilla,” to Calvin – the story of a lovable, mischievous, little gorilla who crawls into bed with the zookeeper and his wife.
Darwin caressed Calvin’s soft head with one hand as he read the words aloud and flipped the pages of his book with his other.
“With some kids who come every week, I’ve seen an improvement in their confidence – both in how they approach the dogs and handlers, and in their reading skills,” Ponsart said.
A “Pit Mix,” Ponsart says she hopes Calvin will become an ambassador for his breed.
“I found him at a warehouse in Detroit and literally cut him off a chain when he was about a year old,” Ponsart recalled. “The poor guy was half frozen and was outside in the snow.”
Ever since then, the pair has been inseparable. “He’s changed my world, that’s for sure,” Ponsart said. “We train at the Companion Dog Club of Flint.”
To obtain his Therapy Dog status, Calvin completed several basic obedience classes and earned his Canine Good Citizen Certificate, before going onto Therapy Dog Training. There, Calvin became acclimated with things he would later find in a nursing home, school or hospital like wheelchairs, walkers and kids.
“We have children come in and we train the dogs with the kids,” Ponsart said. “At the end of the eight week session, the dogs are tested and if they pass, they are allowed to become Therapy Dogs.”
In addition to working at the Holly Township Public Library, Calvin also works for the Clarkston Public Library, the Flint Library, and Heartland Hospice.
Calvin will be at the Holly Township Library on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. now through Feb. 23. For more information on the program, contact the Holly Township Library at (248) 634-1754.
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