Does your Brittany need a new job? Brittanys are amazing dogs, as we all know, and many of them are happiest when they have a job to do. As we return to school in these uncertain times, what could be a better job for a Brittany than a Reading Therapy Dog to help children struggling with reading skills? Brittanys’ intelligence, high energy, and love of human contact make them ideal candidates for the position.

Eleanor Hager is a volunteer with ABR and has adopted five Brittanys from ABR. All of her adoptees have served as therapy dogs in some capacity. Her current dogs, Kodi, age 12, and Maddy, age 8, are Certified Therapy Dogs who are involved with Reading Paws, a program with teams throughout the country to help improve children’s literacy skills.

Eleanor lives in Atlanta, Georgia and is a member of Happy Tails Pet Therapy. Reading Paws is a program under the umbrella of Happy Tails and an affiliate of R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs). Lately, Eleanor’s dogs have been doing more hospital visits, but they were pre-pandemic “stars” of Reading Paws.

The Reading Paws program brings volunteers and their trained therapy dogs together with children for visits in local libraries. Children read the book they have chosen to the dog, often while petting and being close to the animal. For the children it is a non-judgmental environment for improving reading skills. For the dogs it is an opportunity for attention, and we know Brittanys thrive on human contact and attention.

Eleanor says the benefits of the program, for both kids and dogs, are limitless. “Kids relax while reading because the dog is accepting. Kids learning English are often embarrassed and will relax more while reading to a dog. Children with special needs will often make increased personal contact during the session as they react to the dog looking at them. Kids will often bring in a favorite book they think the dog will like. Many kids will turn the book around as they read so the dog can see the pictures. Some kids are scared at first but within a few months of starting the program they will want to pet and walk the dog.”

As for the dogs, “The dogs love it. Brittanys love the attention and they don’t know a stranger. The interaction during a reading session keeps their minds working and tires them out like other activities.”

What keeps Eleanor and her dogs going back? Several things. Seeing the kids improve their reading. Watching the kids react to the dogs. Having the people in the libraries or reading therapy setting recognize, react, and welcome her dogs back each time they come for reading sessions. Watching her dogs enjoy the human contact with others.

Would your dog make a good Reading Therapy Dog? All Reading Therapy Dogs must first be certified therapy dogs. The first step is having your dog receive their K-9 Good Citizenship Certification. Once your dog has completed this certification, look for local organizations and training that follows The Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Training. Certification to be a therapy dog is the next step, and once your dog has completed that step you can pursue volunteer opportunities in your area.

Four years ago, my husband and I made the decision to open our home and become a foster family for American Brittany Rescue. We started taking in all ages, but eventually became a dedicated senior home. We just have a soft spot in our hearts for seniors.    

Every time I look into a senior dog's eyes, I see so much of their soul, so many stories, and, sadly, sometimes so much pain. Fostering takes a special kind of person because at some point you have to let them go. Not everyone is able to do that. These dogs find their way into your heart from the first look. They are so sweet and so innocent; it is hard not to fall head over heels! 

Two and a half years ago, I received a call about a deaf puppy that needed a foster home, and quickly! Terry Mixdorf felt I was the right foster for this little guy, as I am a veterinary technician. Curly, as he was known, was probably one of the cutest Brittany pups I had seen. He belonged to a breeder who could not sell him for hunting. He was isolated in an outdoor kennel. When he came to us, he was covered in fleas. 

Curly had a head tilt and did not walk quite right, but otherwise was a normal, healthy puppy. We purchased a vest for him that said, "Deaf, Do Not Pet Without Permission," and took him everywhere. He loved going to our kids’ soccer games. Actually, he just loved all of the attention from the kids! We also began to teach him sign language. He was a little stubborn, but quickly learned if he did what we were asking he would always get a treat, and he loved treats! He got along well with our two dogs and our cats. He loved the kids and all of their friends. 

The time came to let him go to a family who was willing to continue working with him. They had never had a deaf dog before, so there was a lot of discussion back and forth. I sent them material on training and advised them they would need to have a trainer who would accommodate his special needs. They were more than willing. I drove Curly an hour and a half to his new home. There were two kids eagerly waiting for him. He was very excited to meet them too. About a week later, I got a call from Curly's new mom; she was in tears. The family had decided Curly needed more than they could give him. They were very sad, but knew it was in Curly’s best interest to give him back. So, I picked Curly up and brought him home. We continued to work with him and he continued to excel. Then, Terry Mixdorf called with news that there was a couple who were really interested in Curly. The Lewis’ had very high recommendations from other volunteers and had adopted ABR dogs before, but I was hesitant to send Curly away again. I also knew we were not the right home for Curly, no matter how much we loved him. 

The day we drove Curly to his furever home was difficult, but when he jumped into his new mom and dad's car and looked back at me, I knew he would be ok. His look said, "I am home now.” I cried for a very long time on the ride home, but I knew he would be ok. I am blessed that his new mom keeps in touch with me and sends me lots of pictures. They changed Curly's name to Rayzor. He lives with his mom and dad in Wisconsin. They are dedicated to him and he has learned so much. Rayzor has a Brittany sister named Rosie, and he loves her! His head tilt has since corrected itself and he has grown up to be a sweet boy. 

We are back to senior fostering and after helping more dogs than we can count find their furever home, we have our very first foster failure. We had a sweet, old man come to us from a bad situation and we fell so in love with him we could not let him go. I guess it just goes to show that God brings these dogs to us for a reason! Fostering is hard, painful, and one of the most rewarding things we have ever done. 

Editor’s note: Ruby passed away on May 18, 2015 from a heart condition. She was a few months shy of her 13^th birthday. Sasha passed away on July 26, 2020.