Meet the dog who is helping NEISD students read

There are a lot of stories about dogs.

There’s Old Yeller, Hank the Cowdog and Clifford the Big Red Dog.

But there’s a dog named Hailey who is really helping students with their reading skills.

“Every time, when I come here to read with Hailey, I get really excited,” said second-grader Michael Johnson.

Hailey is part of Dellview Elementary School’s Reading Education Assistance Dog Program.

READ for short.

She is a certified therapy dog who visits Dellview once a week and simply listens to students read.

“When a child reads to a dog, the pressure is gone. They don’t feel intimated,” said READ Volunteer Bernadette Barnes. “They just feel loved and safe. Little by little, their confidence gets back.”

It’s an invaluable program that’s free to Dellview and its students.

“The volunteers give their time every week, which is really awesome,” said Dellview Librarian Mari Blaylock. “We are really thankful and appreciative of what they give to our students.”

Click here to find out more about the Paws for Service Program.