By Lisa Mitchell
Patriot Editor

Excitement would be an understatement to describe the reaction of first-grader Isaiah Matz, 6, when he picked his dog tutor.

He read a book about animals to a little, dark brown-haired dog Claudia, and her owner, Mary Jo Carabello, of Fleetwood.

“I think she liked the part about the giraffe,” said Matz.

About 30 students in first through fourth grade chose their favorite books and were paired with a therapy dog from Therapy Dogs International Inc. (TDI) at Andrew Maier Elementary School on Oct. 26.

“I really like working with children and I like watching the responses of the kids to the dogs,” said Carabello, a volunteer for Therapy Dogs International Inc. “It really seems to get them excited. Hopefully, that excitement will carry over into the reading.”

Reading specialist Stacy Redding, guidance counselor Connie Cammarano and support teacher Beverly Schroeder introduced Andrew Maier Elementary’s new Tail Waggin’ Tutors Reading Support Program from TDI.

The main objective of the program is to provide a relaxed and “dog-friendly atmosphere,” which allows students “to promote a love of reading and to improve fluency,” said Redding.

“You can see the kids’ faces and see how excited they are,” said Schroeder.

TDI volunteer Nancy Gottschall, of Exeter, brought eight-year-old yellow lab mix Tristan.

“It’s a great way to help the kids and to share my dog. He enjoys it and I think the kids enjoy it, too,” said Gottschall, who has seen increased confidence in her past volunteer experience.

This was the kick-off day for the program. Throughout the year, therapy dogs will visit the school periodically. Later in the year, kindergartners will also participate.

Other reading support programs include peer tutoring program called Buddies and the community volunteer tutoring program called the Smiles Program.

Andrew Maier’s canine tutor program was inspired by Cammarano’s three-year-old rescue dog who recently completed his therapy dog certification. A volunteer for Therapy Dogs International Inc. Cammarano learned about TDI’s reading program.

“It gives them an audience that is non-judgmental, an audience that they don’t have to worry about making a mistake,” said Cammarano.