Meet Penny! Our highly certified therapy dog. Having Penny, a S.L.E.D. (Support Lutheran Education Dog) therapy dog and certified R.E.A.D. dog, as part of our Christ Lutheran community, offers several key benefits for students:
Reading Confidence and Literacy Skills
Through the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, students gain a patient, non-judgmental listener in Penny. This setting allows them to read aloud without fear of criticism, which builds confidence, improves fluency, and enhances comprehension skills.
Stress Reduction and Emotional Support
Interacting with a therapy dog like Penny can reduce anxiety and stress. Young students, especially those who may find reading intimidating, benefit from her calming presence, making reading a more enjoyable and less pressured experience.
Building Social and Emotional Skills
Penny helps foster empathy, patience, and social engagement. Children learn to care for, communicate with, and respect her, which can transfer to their relationships with peers.
Penny’s presence at Christ Lutheran School as both a S.L.E.D. and R.E.A.D. dog enriches the school’s environment, making reading and learning an accessible, enjoyable, and supportive experience for students.
