About Labradoodles

Source:  Marin Independent-Journal (CA)
August 8, 2008
Adapted from the original story by Jennifer Upshaw

10-year-old Isabella Scott sat on the floor in the children’s room at San Rafael, California, Public Library, reading aloud to a captive audience.  Snuggled between Isabella and reading specialist Leslie Park, Bumps takes in each word.  Bumps is a Labradoodle, a specially trained assistance dog who helps young readers feel at ease.

“Reading to a dog is a little goofy,” says Hollie Stanaland, the San Rafaelchildren’s librarian. “Because it’s goofy, because it’s silly, because it’s ridiculous, these kids are in a relaxed state.  

“The heart of children is the heart of a dog,” Stanaland continues. “They’re one and the same.”

The program that sponsors Bumps is part of Reading Education Assistance Dogs, a national organization based in Salt Lake City that improves literacy skills using therapy assistance animals.  “He is excited about every kid that comes in,” says Park.

Seated on a quilt surrounded by books starring dogs, with titles such as Dogzilla, Dog Breath: The Horrible Troubles with Hally Tosis, and One Nosy Pup, Isabella considers the difference between reading to people and reading to dogs.  “It’s strange, but it made you feel good,” she says. “He doesn’t say ‘you didn’t say this right, say this again’ - he just listens.”