The first of the Tail Wagging Tales session is with Becky Harris and her three daughters, with a concentration on the oldest one, Ashlyn, who is 7.
The second session at the Roanoke Rapids Public Library is with Dylan Blount, who at 5, is already an accomplished reader but is afraid of dogs.
Harris found out about Leah Brewer’s program through the city’s Recreation Department.
Ashlyn, her mother says, likes animals, and the program, “Gives her an excuse to read out loud. With her reading, we want to give her a little bit of confidence since she likes dog.”
Brewer demonstrates the proper way to greet a strange dog.
Ashlyn and her sisters, Savanna, 5, and Caroline, 3, take to Elle immediately after Brewer shows them the proper way to greet strange dogs, asking for permission first and then extended a hand curled in a fist so the animal can smell and lick.
Dylan, on his fourth session with Elle, has made some progress but still refuses to look her in the eyes or pet her head.
Today Brewer doesn’t encourage him to pet Elle, she just lets him read.
Dylan, who turns 6 this week, wears a tie because he wanted to dress for Elle.
He chooses to sit in a wooden chair to read to the dog, several feet away for her.
Watching today is Brewer’s husband, Eric, a pit bull owner himself. “Everyone’s got a little something they’re scared of,” he said. It’s just intimidating to some people. I think you just let him work slowly and gradual. You don’t want to push him too much.”
Dylan chose to sit on a chair during the first part of his session.
After reading from the chair, Dylan’s father, Robert, encourages him to get on the floor to read.
Dylan’s mother, Adele Greene, tells Brewer the last time her son was tested he was reading on a third grade level. He will be tested again in May.
As he reads, Elle tends to cling to Brewer more. Whether this is because she senses Dylan’s fear or the floor is a tad cold, she’s not sure.
Brewer sticks to not encouraging Dylan to pet Elle this time but the boy’s mother does. “Don’t you want to give her a nice, little pet for being a good listener?”
Dylan is still shy, ultimately agreeing to pet her on the back when she isn’t looking at him. “Every time I move she looks at me,” he replies.
Eric tries to encourage the boy. “Her eyes look intimidating but they’re not,” he says, explaining the dog wants the boy to give attention.
Editor’s note: This is the third of a continuing series documenting the progress Dylan Blount makes overcoming his fear of dogs by reading to Elle, a registered therapy dog, at the Roanoke Rapids Public Library. Dylan’s next session will be February 9. For more information on Tail Wagging Tales contact the library at 252-533-2890.
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