Dog reads with special needs students to help inspire confidence
A local dog trainer is bringing canines into the classroom in Sheperdsville to help students with special needs learn and grow.
At Cedar Grove Elementary School, Maggie, a mixed-breed dog, has been around students for five weeks, but she's proving to be pretty popular with the students.
Twice a week, Maggie lies down and listens to her new friends tell a story.
"Now, they're reading to her and now they're proud of themselves," said dog trainer Terry McGauley.
Students with special needs read to Maggie to sharpen their skills in schools.
"When you see the ups and downs and the difficulties the children face on a daily basis, it's a struggle," McGauley said.
McGauley has extensive experience as a dog trainer. One day she introduced Maggie to her own granddaughter who has special needs, Katie, and the pair hit it off.
"Katie's vocabulary sight words went from 115 at the end of the school year to 225 ," McGauley said. "And Maggie has brought the best out in Katie."
That gave McGauley an idea.
"What could Maggie do for other children? " she wondered.
McGauley approached the school district, hoping the canine could coach the kids.
"I thought it was a great idea," said special education teacher Leah Smith.
Smith said having Maggie's attention keeps the students focused.
"And the dog doesn't judge. It doesn't turn away. It doesn't frown and it builds their confidence, so if they go in social situations they're more confident," Smith said.
McGauley said seeing the friends interact makes it worthwhile.
"Makes you feel like you can fly out of here on wings," she said.
Maggie has been so good with the students and the program has been such a success that they're looking at expanding it to other schools in the Louisville area.
McGauley is a volunteer and spends three hours a week at Cedar Grove Elementary.
She adopted Maggie from a rescue shelter when she was just a puppy.