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Therapy dog gets an earful from Linwood students |
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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
Jennifer Larson
Community Editor
Katja is not your typical canine companion.
The 4-year-old pure bred German Shepherd is owned by handler Rhonda Meath of Linwood. Together, they’ve been training at Total Recall School for Dogs in Forest Lake so Katja can serve a greater purpose than being a household pet.
She is a registered therapy dog. Katja has passed the rigourous testing to hold the title, which allows her and Meath to visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools, as well as other institutions where therapy dogs are needed.
Every Thursday from November 2007 to May 8 this year, students at Linwood Elementary were reading to Katja. There are approximately 65 second graders between three classrooms at the school.
Meath said that Therapy Dogs International (TDI), which she is a member, has a program called Children Reading to Dogs “Tail Waggin’ Tutors.” Some students might have a little trouble learning how to read, or be self-conscious about reading in front of classmates and teachers.
It is so much fun for children to read to a patient therapy dog, said Meath. Students and dogs are able to bond over a shared story as children read in a relaxed environment.
Dog-gone fun
According to teacher Betsy Miller, students at that level are working on skills to read with more confidence and expression.
She said the elementary staff jumped at the chance to have Katja come to their school. Students would go to the music room where Meath and the therapy dog waited.
“Katja is such a good listener,” Miller said.
Second graders read a couple pages each from a book selected by their teacher. Afterwards, Meath awards students with a pink sticker that says “I read with Katja.”
Miller said the experience has been beneficial to all the second graders, who gathered for a group picture on May 8 with a tutu wearing Katja, and Meath by her side.
“It’s been great for our students who struggle reading,” Miller added.
Meath heard the students recite the same pages over and over. Her only reprieve was that each classroom had a different book to read.
Like Katja, Meath was patient with the children. Following along with her own book, she even helped when a student was stuck on a word.
When Katja is “working,” she is fully insured by TDI. Meath carries with her the therapy dog’s ID card and vaccination information.
Katja wears a tag that denotes her status as a therapy dog as well. And when Meath puts on that collar, the canine knows it’s time to go to work.
Whether it’s visiting schools or a nursing home such as Birchwood in Forest Lake, it’s on a volunteer basis. Meath is not compensated in any way, well, maybe except for the smiles and gratitude she and Katja receive.
Rescue dog
At the age of seven months, the dog was rescued from a home in Elk River. Meath said the situation just didn’t work out for Katja.
For a number of years, she has owned dogs as well as fostering them until they were adopted by a loving family. Meath has four German Shepherds.
“When I first got Katja, I didn’t know what I was going to do with her,” said Meath.
She enrolled the dog in obedience classes at Total Recall to work on Katja’s low self-esteem. Nine months later, Meath was showing the dog. She noted that Katja’s confidence increased as the dog became more self-assured.
Meath said it was evident to her at a pet store that Katja should become a therapy dog. While some canines gravitated towards birds or food, Katja was enamoured by children.
“She just loves kids,” Meath said.
She trains with her dogs as much as possible, taking them to shows and on the road to qualify for trials.
Meath said that her animals know she is the leader of the pack. Although they are her companions and protectors, Meath said humanizing the canines by treating them like family member takes away from what they are – dogs.
Sometime this summer, Katja will have her own website.
An obedient pet
She suggests that if adults and children want to learn more about their dog’s natural ability, to pick up a book about the specific breed. Training is also a possibility though can be costly but rewarding.
Katja can shake with both paws, high-5 and 10, spin circles – both left and right – knows hand signals, can walk without a leash and is trained to drink water out a squirt bottle. To become a therapy dog, her temperament was evaluated, which includes the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test.
“All of their behavior is learned,” Meath said.
She noted that it is easier to teach dogs good behavior than to break them of bad habits. Katja also knows the “Leave It” command, which means she faces forward and ignores whatever that is like food or another animal.
Meath waits tables at a White Bear Lake eatery during the evening hours. Never in her wildest dreams did Meath imagine doing what she does with her dogs. She enjoys and takes pride in being able to give back to the community.
“I have this exceptionally great dog that somebody else didn’t want,” she said.
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