This is an opinion column

It’s hat day at Central School in Madison County, and students and teachers sport caps and cowboy hats and bowlers. Some second grade students come into a reading room tucked into a corner near the library, showing off their hats and settling down to read. This isn’t an ordinary reading session. These second graders are “reluctant readers” and they’re hesitant to read out loud. What if they make a mistake and the other kids laugh? What if they get stuck on a hard word and can’t get past it?

The “Read to Me” program addresses this problem. It’s under the umbrella of a nonprofit called Heart to Heart Pet Partners. Volunteer Coordinator Mimi Bynum says they train and certify therapy animals who then visit hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Everyone is aware of the health benefits of patting a dog or holding a purring cat. High blood pressure and stress hormones fall, people get a sense of relaxation, and dogs get strokes and even treats.

But who knew that dogs could be great reading partners?

Heart to Heart dog trainer Carol Kimble sits on the floor next to Twinkle, a blondish Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She’s 3 and 1/2 and has been working half her life, in human years. Each reading session is 15 minutes and Twinkle sits quietly and calmly. One student reads a book about Twinkle. “She likes this one,” Kimble says. “It’s all about her.”