Lily Comfort Dog

Today, Lily had the honor of visiting the Crim Primary School in Bridgewater, NJ. It was her first visit there, and we look forward to many more.

The Counselor at the school, Miss Giana, first met Lily at the Arbor Glen Senior Living Facility. Lily visits there every week, and Miss Giana was so impressed with Lily that she inquired about Lily potentially visiting her school.

Today, the planning for Lily to visit the Crim School came to fruition. Lily first met with the Principal and staff. Then Lily met the volunteer from the school that has been coordinating the program at the school.  There are currently two other therapy dogs that visit the children, Bella and Erik, but they are always looking for more dogs to visit, and Lily fit the bill.

Lily and her handler went to the first classrooms to visit some of the children. The children responded very well to Lily. The teacher coaxed a few to pet Lily as they were afraid of Lily at first, but soon, with their teacher’s help, they were petting Lily and even singing to her.

Then Lily and her entourage went to another class. Each of the children read to Lily, as well as gave her lots of love and pets. The children told us about their own pets, and they really hit it off with Lily. In keeping with the Paw for Reading theme, the children chose books about dogs. We read about Hollywood Dogs, such as Lassie and Rin Tin Tin, and about the Presidents’ Dogs (Did you know that Abraham Lincoln had a service dog named Fido?). We also learned about a dog’s sense of smell. Did you know that a dog has so many million more scent receptors that a human that they can smell each ingredient in a stew that is cooking on the stove? Wow. That’s amazing.

It was time for lunch, and the class went off after giving Lily more hugs and pets before they left. Lily had a wonderful visit, and we can’t wait to visit again.

Do you have a Reading to a Dog program in your community? Tell us about it in the comment section, below. We would love to hear from you.

On the First Monday and Wednesday of each month, Lily travels to Keyport Library for the Reading to Lily Program. The program begins at 10:45 am on Mondays, and 3 pm on Wednesdays. Each session begins with hugs ane kisses for Lily, then Miss Chris reads a book to the children. After the reading, there is a craft that coordinates with the story that was read. Before the program ends, some of the children read their favorite story to Lily. Lily likes books about cats and dogs the best!

Reading aloud is fundamental in learning to read and developing language skills, but children may become intimidated when reading aloud, and the other children may snicker or laugh if mistakes are made. Even if they don’t, the fear that they will exists in the child’s mind. Studies have shown that reading to a dog is beneficial, because dogs are non-judgmental. They sit and listen, and never laugh or giggle. Lily will sit there as long as the child wants. It’s her gift.

Miss Chris had read about these benefits, and began looking for a therapy dog to bring to the Keyport Library. However, all the therapy dog programs she called were not available in our area. One day, Lily and her handler arrived at the library to introduce themselves to the staff. Miss Chris was very interested, and the Reading to Lily program was born.

Over the months that Lily has attended this program, the children have grown to love her and welcome her. Sometimes they have to be reminded to listen to the reading, because they love Lily so much that they get slightly distracted hugging and petting her. What a problem to have!

It is also very rewarding to hear how the children have improved in their reading from last year. Lily always listens intently to the readings, and her presence helps to calm the children who get nervous reading out loud. We always encourage the children as they read. This month, one of the children had an assignment to read a poem aloud to many different people, and to write down the names of those people read to. Imagine the teacher’s surprise when they reads “Lily the Comfort Dog!”

One of Lily’s favorite books is Go Dog Go. The children giggle at all the places the dogs go in the book, and Lily gets excited when they have their party in a tree. She also likes Pete the Cat and his adventures.

We are hoping to become involved in more “Reading to Lily” programs in our area. We will keep you posted as details emerge.

Do you have a Reading to a Dog Program in your area? Tell us about it in the comments, below. We’d love to hear from you.

Are you wondering what it is like to be out visiting with Lily? It is a humbling experience, and every time we go out with Lily, we are amazed by the work she does, and how it benefits the people we visit. And, how we are personally changed by these visits.

We are honored to continue Lily’s work in 2016, and it is full of excitement, joy, and wondering about what the new year will bring. Lily and her team will be out seeking the lonely, the sick, and anyone needing comfort. We will continue with our regular weekly visits to all our friends, but we will be on the lookout for new friends.

So what is it really like to be with Lily on her visits? What it is like to enter a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or even a funeral? What do you say? How do you enter a room where people are suffering or are lonely, depressed, confused?

Well, you take a deep breath and Lily takes over. We start by asking if anyone would like to pet the dog. This is all one needs to do. Lily does the rest. Having a partner with you is helpful, too, because often a handler is busy watching out for Lily, and the partner can see who might be interested in seeing the dog. You can tell who is interested by the look of sheer delight on their face.

Once someone is petting Lily, we stop talking and we listen. People will say things that are on their mind. Some talk about the pets they used to have at home. What a loss for them to have to leave their pets once they come to a facility. Some cry when they see Lily because they are remembering their own pets. I always ask what their pet’s name was. This usually gets them talking about themselves a bit. I have met many pets through our visits: Patch, Owen, Tommy, Sammy, King, and Mitzie, to name a few.

But, when I close my eyes after a visit, I remember the smiles on so many faces when Lily enters the room. There are only a few people we visit that don’t like animals, and ask not to get Lily near them. But, I noticed that in the last few months, some of those people are starting to soften and I can at least have Lily near them. And I still get to visit with them without them petting Lily.

And Lily takes all this in. She looks at her friends, and lets them love on her. She goes to everyone, and she snuggles. And she smiles…a big, big smile for all her friends. This is what a day is like with Lily.

When going out with Lily, I’m reminded of her Bible verse, which is 1 Thessalonians 1:3

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a perfect verse for Lily.

Are you a Comfort Dog Handler, or have you been visited by a Comfort Dog? Please share your experience in the comments, below. We would love to hear from you.