By Casey Bemis
Contributed
As part of its summer reading program, the Solvang Library will continue its “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” program from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays in June and July.
Any time children spend reading aloud to the canine “tutors” will count toward rewards that children can earn through summer reading.
Tail Waggin’ Tutors helps children increase their reading skills, become comfortable in a library setting, and have fun. All of the dogs are certified therapy dogs through Therapy Dogs International.
Even a rescue dog with a calm disposition can become a therapy dog, and sometimes finding such a dog can be unexpected.
That’s what happened when Paul Melancom’s wife took her sister-in-law to find a dog at a rescue-dog event, where they picked out a 2-year-old Maltipoo (a Maltese-poodle mix) for her. But by the end of the day, the Melancoms couldn’t part with Tessy, so they found another dog for the sister-in-law.
After training, Tessy qualified to be a tail-waggin’ tutor.
Becoming a certified therapy dog is a rewarding journey for both the dog and its owner, Paul Melancom said.
Tessy and Melancom had to work together so she could learn to follow basic commands such as sit, down, stay and heel. In addition, she had to be able to endure loud and sudden noises, be comfortable around wheel chairs, and not pick up anything off the floor, including food.
And Melancom had to go through a simple “test” of his own. He had to have a background check before he could take Tessy to the Tail Waggin’ Tutors program at the Solvang Library and area hospitals.
Tessy seems to think the work was worth it.
“When we get ready to come to the library, I tell her we’re going to meet the kids and she hops in the car. When we arrive at the library, she can’t wait to get out of the car,” Melancom said. “I enjoy seeing the glee in the children’s eyes when they come to read to Tessy.”
A favorite behavior of hers is to roll onto her back so she can get a tummy rub, and the children are more than happy to oblige her as they read.
“I want to come back as Tessy my next life. Although she is treated the same as our other dogs, she tries to monopolize me,” Melancom added.
When Tessy isn’t at the library with children, she might be visiting hospital patients.
Melancom recalls one visit when “we visited the patients getting ready for surgery. A lady was very nervous about her pending surgery, and when Tessy hopped up on her bed, the woman held her tight and asked if she could go into surgery with her. The doctors and nurses just gave us a look of astonishment, laughed and said no.”
Tessy lives with two standard poodles who are also certified therapy dogs. Tessy loves to tease the bigger dogs, but they play together very well, Melancom said.
The theme of the library’s summer reading program this year is “Choose Adventure.” By participating, children can earn rewards for reading.
For more information, call the Solvang Library 805-688-4214 or the Buellton library 805-688-3115.
FYI
The theme of this year’s summer reading program is “Choose Adventure.” By participating, children can earn rewards for reading.
For more information, call the Solvang Library 805-688-4214 or the Buellton library 805-688-3115.
