Awards

Every Wednesday morning at the Ethel Everhard Memorial Library in Westfield, children scour the stacks looking for just the right book. They will read the books aloud, but their audience isn’t what you’d expect. The kids are participating in the Reading to Dogs program, where they sit throughout the morning reading their books to a variety of special pets.

Among the dogs that participate, one of the favorites is a large dog named Daria.

Daria is a three-year-old Bouvier des Flandres, a large shaggy dog, that has been trained as a Reading Education Assistance Dog. To work with children in the Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) program, the dogs need to first be trained as therapy dogs. After that, they are trained to help children read by providing an encouraging ear.

The training is more than one would expect for the program, but the influence that it has in the lives of the children involved in the program was shown last month when Daria was named Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Pet of the Year.

“It was quite an honor actually,” responded Daria’s owner, Karen Robotka. For the last 14 years, the WVMA has designated three pets with the honor of being in the Pet Hall of Fame. In categories for heroes, professional pets and companion of the year, the three pets are honored in the WVMA annual banquet.

On February 24, in Green Bay, Daria and her owner both took the stand with dogs that have saved their owner’s lives and done incredible things.

Daria was nominated by some of the veterinarians in the Lodi Vet Clinic that she visits. The staff there were aware of the work that Robotka and Daria do in the R.E.A.D. program and wanted to recognize them for it. Once the nomination was made, however, it was the kids who helped make the decision. Many of the kids involved in the program wrote letters to the WVMA on Daria’s behalf. Upon presenting the award, several of the children’s letters were read aloud.

Typical of the loving nature of this pet, Daria gave the presenter a kiss on stage as she received her medal.

By the following Wednesday, however, it was back to normal as anxious students filed into the public library. There are three dogs that currently sit as reader dogs. The dogs patiently sit with over 200 kids, from both Westfield Elementary and home schooling families, from kindergarten to third grade. Each student gets a sticker and bookmarks for finishing reading their books to the dogs.

“The kids really do respond well,” noted Robotka. Those involved in the program see the biggest improvement with kids who aren’t the strongest readers. In no time, the pets calm the readers and they find that they can improve their reading skills. “The whole point of it is to have joy in reading.”

Robotka has been bringing her dogs Daria and Chloe - an older Bouvier des Flandres - to the Westfield Library for the R.E.A.D. Program for four years. But, with so many children enjoying the program, they are constantly in need of more dogs. Anyone interested in joining the R.E.A.D. Program can contact Robotka by calling the library, 608-296-2544

CH Kashers Twilight Star CGC, SD, TDI ( aka Tracy) was awarded the Hero Dog of the Year award at the National Specialty held in 2005. Tracy is an AKC Champion and a wonderful companion, service dog to her human companion Sue.

Tracy has touched many lives in a very positive manner. She is not only a service dog, companion and friend to Sue, but Tracy also goes to the local library to participate in "Bow Wow Pow Wow," a reading program designed to help the children that participate improve their reading skills.

Sue and Tracy have also started a program to teach children about people with special needs. Tracy is there to participate and give lots of hugs.

Tracy is also a 'reading dog' in Tracy often visits children's classes. She helps

Kashers Star Yankee A loyal companion, Yankee

Yankee and his friend enjoy a lovely day Best friends!