A Tale Waggin' Tutor Arrives
Fowler Grade School received Ruby, a tail waggin’ tutor, who is specialized in helping students improve their reading abilities but also can be used as a therapist.
Dr. Williams brought Ruby to the school system because she believes that students aren’t intimidated by dogs, but dogs also help students develop throughout the year without being judged or brought down because of their reading ability. Williams approached this idea from her previous job where they started to train a dog as a reading buddy. She researched Therapy Dogs International.
Ruby is a cavapoo, crossed cavalier saint charles, spaniel, miniature poodle. She interacts with the students during recess which she loves, but she also works with Mrs. Wise in the title reading program. Then, Ruby goes with other teachers to help them as well as high school students for stress relief. “She provides a non-threatening environment, and makes the students more relieved and ready to learn,” said Williams.
Ruby’s arrival is permanent as long as she behaves, gets along with the kids, and passes a required obedience test. Mr. Williams, who is Dr. Williams’s husband, actually owns Ruby and that’s where she stays when she is not at school. Some difficulties that Dr. Williams faced were that Ruby is a puppy and requires more attention than a full-grown dog.
“She feels she’s the center of attention or should be,” said Williams of Ruby. Ruby has to have a personal schedule made by Ms. Wenta since the kids fight over her when she’s at school. In the future Williams hopes to have more animals brought by the community to help tutor the children since the situation must be one-on-one. The dogs as mentioned before just have to pass an easy test in which the dog can be around children and are obedient.