When Dogs go to School

My friend Sandy has an Afghan Hound named Carson.

This sweet friendly BEAUTIFUL dog is a registered therapy dog,

and Sandy works with him in a wonderful program called

"READING WITH ROVER"

-

These are watercolor paintings I did of him this past week

-

-

Dogs who have gone through the training process

(and are of the right temperament)

are taken to school classrooms,

bookstores, and other events,

and children come and sit with a dog

AND READ TO THEM!

-

Studies have shown that a dogs calming effect

and friendship and non-judgemental listening skills

help to increase a child's reading abilities.

-

Sandy took Carson this summer to a weekly reading group

at an elementary school, with several other

Reading With Rover dogs.

This year he will also participate in a program with

developmentally challenged children who will walk with him

~ and be loved and encouraged by his sweet personality ~

-

If you would like to learn more about this program,

here is a link to the Reading With Rover website.

-

The photo I worked from,

taken as we sat outside of a coffee shop

Here's the sweet boy as a puppy with his buddy

-

-

If you'd like to see the stages of my watercolor painting,

you may click this link to the page on my website:

"The Progression of a Watercolor Painting"