A doggone great reading pal

Whenever Maggie visits Laker Elementary, big smiles appear on students’ faces. Even though she’s calm and quiet, she draws plenty of attention. Students love reading to her as she patiently sits by them, appearing to be very content.

Maggie is a 9-year-old golden retriever, and she is a trained therapy dog. She visits Laker Elementary for two hours Monday and Wednesday mornings, and teachers sign students up to meet with the gentle pooch for specific periods of time.

Most students read to her as a reward they earn in class. Students who are dealing with difficult situations also meet with her just to pet her and talk to her. As a therapy dog, it’s Maggie’s job to help children feel better.

Maggie is owned by Irene Janik, of Pigeon. Irene trained Maggie to be a therapy dog when Maggie was 3. The training process took three months, and in that time, Irene trained her furry friend to not bark, jump up or lick. She trained using intermittent treats.

“She’ll do anything for food,” Irene said with a chuckle.

Maggie, who is certified by the American Therapy Dog Association, previously visited residents at the Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center in Caro and the VA  Hospital in Ann Arbor. Laker Elementary is the first school she’s visited.

The trips to Laker Elementary came about when Irene met Cathy Stinson, a social worker with the Huron Intermediate School District. Cathy suggested that Irene contact Laker Elementary Principal Kathy Dickens. Kathy was ecstatic about the idea.

“With my background in counseling, I am aware of the benefits of therapy dogs,” Kathy said. “The topic was highlighted at many of the workshops I attended.”

When Maggie first came to Lakers, she and Irene visited classrooms so students would be introduced to both. Irene explained Maggie’s story and what a therapy dog does.

“Maggie makes people feel better,” Irene said. “She offers non-judgmental therapy. She also offers great positive reinforcement.”

The four-legged friend also helps students become stronger readers because they’re excited to read to Maggie, she said.

Third grader Josh Hartman beams whenever someone mentions reading to Maggie. If he had his choice, he’d do it several times each day.

“It’s fun,” Josh said. “She’s nice and calm and she’s fluffy and soft. She’s helpful – she helps keep me calm and puts me in a better mood.  I feel happy (when I read to her).”

He said while he was reading to her (a book about a dog and two kittens), she “was listening and looking at the pages.”

Fifth graders Savannah Mascorro and Austin Arnold also have read to the golden retriever, and they loved every minute of it.

“I was only supposed to read for 10 minutes, but I ended up reading for 20 minutes,” Savannah said. “I lost track of time.”

“Reading to Maggie makes reading more fun because it’s nice to have someone listening to you,” Austin said.

Savannah agreed.

“I feel more like reading when I read to her,” she said.

Austin and Savannah said they felt relaxed while reading to Maggie.

“After I read to Maggie, I went home and read to my dog,” Austin said.

Irene has a 7-month-old Golden Retriever named Sugar, and she’s currently being trained to follow in Maggie’s furry footsteps. She will visit Laker Elementary next school year.

Kathy said if parents would like to request that their child meet with Maggie, they can call (989) 453-4600.