Therapy dogs lend a helping paw

NORWICH – Some dogs in Broome and Chenango county regions are learning what it means to truly be man’s best friend.

The Boome/Chenango K-9 Help Group’s mission is to place dogs in people’s lives to enhance and educate while continuing to explore new directions for K-9 assistance.

Karen Wood, the program director and founder, had previously owned dogs that took part in a working program; after the dogs were medically discharged, she had another mission for them.

“The dogs were so good, I figured they would make great therapy dogs,” said Wood.

The dogs serve as educational tools in school programs throughout the region. For 30 minutes once a week, BC Paws to Read focuses on giving students the chance to read aloud with a dog, and to convey what they learn to the dog.

Children learn to read aloud and explain what they are reading. It is easier for the child to be corrected if they make a mistake because it is not other children who do not understand, it is a dog. Instructors explain that the dog can’t understand, so the child needs to fix the mistake for the dog.

“It teaches children to not be afraid, it gives them the self-confidence to succeed. Wood said. “The best thing about the program is that when the children make a mistake, they know the dogs won’t laugh at them.”