Marcy Sierra Zeke Legend Rainbow Whisper Essence OSO Vision Bruno Kalani Erika
Home Info Breedings Puppies Relatives Fun-Page Rainbow Bridge Mastiff-Books Links
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Marcy Sierra Zeke Legend Rainbow Whisper Essence OSO Vision Bruno Kalani Erika Home Info Breedings Puppies Relatives Fun-Page Rainbow Bridge Mastiff-Books Links |
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Doreen Dysert Camas, Washington Members: Doreen Dysert Chair - MCOA Seizures Committee Member - MCOA Health Committee AKC Breeder of Merit
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CH Marcy Mtn's Jolly Pick Pocket CGC Oliver is from Marcy Mountain Mastiff's second litter (by CH Storm Zeke of Serenity CGC out of CH Grizzly's Sierra of Marcy Mtn CD, CGC). Oliver is owned and loved by Chris and Dianna Brown.
In addition to being a fine Champion and a noble representative of the breed, Oliver is also a registered Therapy Dog. Oliver recently made the news from his work with assisting children at the Perry Browne Intermediate School. Paws and Effect Staff Writer for The Evening Sun 11/5/2004
Oliver, a 1-1/2-year-old Mastiff, and Tessa, a 10-year-old Australian Shepherd, help kids become more confident with their reading skills by making them feel more comfortable in their surroundings. School Principal Michelle Donlon said the kids really enjoy having this program, and the dogs make everyone smile. “The way it works is teachers will recommend students who they believe would benefit from the program, and they spend a half hour a few times a week reading with one of the dogs and a volunteer,” she said. “The kids feel safe and relaxed with the dogs, and become more encouraged to read. It’s really a wonderful program.” Dianna Brown volunteers with Oliver, and Beth Pederson with Tessa. “Oliver is a certified therapy dog through the Therapy Dog Incorporation, and he is also a champion show dog,” Brown said. “He loves people and absolutely adores children.” Pederson said Tessa is a K-9 ambassador through the American Kennel Club, which means he can go into schools and classrooms and work with children. Both said their dogs also have their K-9 Good Citizen certificate, which is required for the program. Fourth-graders Morgan Calvert, Alyssa Youngs, and Tiffany Collins all said they love reading with the dogs, and they love to play with them too. “I like reading with the dogs because I like dogs a lot and it’s nice to read with someone who listens,” said Youngs, whose favorite book is “Fourth Grade Rats.” Calvert, who said her dogs at home are big but Oliver was bigger, also said he helps her to feel more comfortable with reading. “He has helped me to feel better about reading in front of people,” she said. “I like how he listens.” Collins also said she really likes reading with Oliver. “He makes me feel happy and comfortable,” she said. “Sometimes when I come to school I’m sad, and Oliver makes me happy.” Donlon said she hopes the program will continue year after year. “We’ve had it going for a year now, and we’ve seed such great success already,” she said. “It’s been wonderful for the kids and we love seeing how much they improve.” Collins is proof of that. “Before I couldn’t read and now I can read an entire kid’s book,” Collins said. “Now we’re working on bigger books and that makes me happy.”
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It’s
not often a child gets to play with dogs at school. But at Perry Browne
Intermediate, children have the opportunity to spend time with two dogs during
the Paws For Reading Program and the consensus is they love it.