Published: March 22, 2008 12:16 am         

Therapy dog

Cresaptown first-graders enjoy sharing stories with Beanpup

CRESAPTOWN — Beanpup is sharing his love of books with students at Cresaptown Elementary. Every first-grader will read to the Maltese before the end of the school year.

“We’re always looking for exciting ways to get kids to read, so we’re glad to have Beanpup here,” said Principal Roxanne Reuse.

Beanpup, who turns 7 on Easter, is a certified therapy dog who is a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.). The purpose of the program, which began in 1999, is to improve literacy skills of children with the help of the animals.

“He likes being with the kids,” said its owner Linda Edminston, a retired teacher who is substituting at the school.

While living in Philadelphia, Beanpup traveled to schools and libraries for the R.E.A.D program, and Edminston is excited about introducing the program to students at Cresaptown Elementary.

Four first-graders read to Beanpup on Thursday.

“It was fun to read to him; he was soft, and he was very nice,” said Kaylee Naves.

Joey Stewart also enjoyed reading to the pooch. He said he may even start reading to his own dog.

“It was fun, and I have a dog that looks just like him,” said Stewart.

David Johnson thought Beanpup was an excellent listener.

“He was very calm and very good,” said Johnson.

Corey McKenzie thought Beanpup liked the story because the main character was a dog that looked like him.

“He’s really nice — I think he liked it, but I think he really wants to play,” said McKenzie.

Beanpup’s reading pals receive bone-shaped bookmarks.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.