A dog in the classroom? Therapy pet helps students improve their reading skills

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- This is one dog that won't eat your homework.

Fifth-graders at PS 78 have seen improvements in their reading skills thanks to a therapy dog named Jasmine.

Jasmine, a Great Pyrenees and Greyhound mix, visits class 5-323 once a week with her owner, Norma Callahan. The two are volunteers with Luv on a Leash -- a project of the Pride Center of Staten Island -- which helps place registered therapy dogs throughout Staten Island.

When Deborah Green of Luv on a Leash was looking to place Callahan and Jasmine, someone suggested the Stapleton school. Green reached out to Principal Louis Bruschi, who asked the classrooms to come up with a list of reasons why they should be able to work with Jasmine.

"My co-teacher and I jumped on the opportunity to have Jasmine come in and read with our children," said Danielle McKenna, whose class is going on its second year in the program.

McKenna said she has seen an improvement among the students who work with Jasmine.

For 15 minutes a visit, students read a book of their choice with Callahan and Jasmine by their side. Jasmine helps calm and comfort the students, allowing them to increase their reading levels in a judgment-free environment.

Student Brandon Kernall said Jasmine even helps him recognize when he gets a word wrong.

"When [Jasmine] starts to 'space out,' that's when I know that I got the word wrong and I have to go back and read the sentence over," he said.

While Jasmine has helped students feel more comfortable reading, data assessments show significant improvements among the students who work with her.

One student has gone up three reading levels since September, McKenna said.

"Thank you for everything actually, for coming in, taking time out of your day," Brandon said to Callahan and Jasmine. "Thank you very much."

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