Coco with one of the students in Mrs. Pope's 1st grade class.

Yes Reading is going to the dogs

         By Patrick Abanathy Staff Writer For “Coco,” a six-and-a-half-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, story time comes twice a week. Although she undoubtedly enjoys all the attention, the students are, in turn, receiving the opportunity to become better readers. Carol Fuller, president of the Yerington Animal Protection Society (YAPS), said Coco comes to the first       grade class of Malinda Pope twice a week for an hour at a time. Coco begins by going around to students to greet them before the class breaks off into groups. At that point, each of Pope’s 19 students takes a turn reading stories to Coco. Fuller remains off to the side of the reading area and does not interfere unless one of the students requests the meaning of a word or other help. Fuller’s primary role during this time is to simply make sure Coco remains there and behaves while the student is reading. Books students read to Coco are selected from a list of animal-related books provided via the Humane Society and the Doris Day Animal League She said this technique has been a growing trend across the U.S. and has shown to help improve reading skills.  One of the primary reasons is the opportunity of reading to another individual in a non-threatening environment. After all, Fuller said Coco does not judge or insult the child’s reading ability. YAPS sponsors the program at YES and is the donor of a book,   “Canines in the Classroom: Raising Humane Children   through’ Interactions with Animals,” by Michelle Rivera, to both the school and the local library. Also, more information about this technique can be found on line. “They're (the students) becoming  more fluent and expressive readers,” Pope said noting this is the third week for the program, which has not been previously initiated at YES. “It's some thing they want to do rather than something they have to do.” As a kind of positive side effect,    along with their children's improved reading skills, some parents have reported their children are beginning to treat their own pets with more respect as well. Pope said she was excited to hear of YAPS’ interest in trying the program in her class. Also, she noted the Labrador breed is a very child-friendly dog and the students often ask when Coco will came for another visit.

Patrick Abanathy/Mason Valley News
         STORY TIME WITH ‘COCO’: Malinda Pope’s first grade class looks forward to visits from 'COCO' a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, who sits patiently while each students takes turns reading her a story. Pictured above, YES first grader Addyson Harmon reads to Coco during Tuesday morning’s visit. Below, Pope’s class poses with Pope (top left), Carol Fuller, president of the Yerington Animal Protection Society and owner of Coco, (top right) and, of course, Coco sits in front.