Each month man’s best friend can be seen hanging out with students at Windber Elementary School.
“We get to pet them and we can read to them,” first grade student Dylan Woodruff explains.
“I like to read stories about dogs to the dogs,” says first grade student Alayna Shuster.
Shuster and Woodruff are just two students at Windber Elementary School who love to read to their visiting furry friends.
“They’re fun and they usually sit down and you can pet them,” says Shuster.
Tales with Tails is a local organization and a new program for the school. The group involves volunteers that bring in their dogs to help improve student’s reading skills.
“I thought it was a great thing to start here at school for our kids,” says Windber teacher Elyse Cameron. I thought it would be a great opportunity for them to read to a non judgmental ear, get practice, and get better at reading.”
Cameron first saw the group at the Cambria County Library and decided to bring it to Windber. Students through fourth grade get to participate.
“The dog sits by us and there’s a timer, so everybody gets the same amount of time,” Shuster explains.
There is a variety of types of dogs that come and each time the school has five dogs participate. The students say their new friend is a great listener.
The dogs were able to come and visit the kids five times this school year. They’re hoping to have them back again next year. The teachers say it’s something that put a smile on everyone’s face.