Young readers at Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School receive a little therapy each week from some four-legged friends. Steve Inkrot and his canine helpers Duffy and Gunny, trained Delta Society therapy dogs, visit the school every week to help young readers learn not only about animals, but about reading.

First, the third and fourth grade students learn about animals, specifically domesticated animals like dogs, and are taught about responsibly caring for animals and some manners to use around dogs. Then, once the students have made friends with the therapy dogs, they take turns reading out loud to them without the fear or pressure of stumbling over a word.

The therapy dogs are trained to work with kids, senior citizens, hospital patients, etc. Each week, Steve volunteers with his dogs, which brings long lines of students who wish to read to their canine friends.

Steve Inkrot and his dog Gunny work with WT students, from left, Devon Crosley, Emily Wuebold and Sean Kamphaus.