Reading to "Tilly" and "Poppy" helps kids improve their literacy skills.

Monitor Elementary School and Springdale Animal Services are again working together to help first-graders increase reading skills.  "Matilda", or "Tilly" for short, and "Poppy" arrive every Wednesday to a welcoming classroom of children.  The students take turns reading their books aloud to these attentive dogs.  As dogs don't judge, the kids get to develop their reading skills in a low stress setting.

"Matilda" is a gentle, 2 year old, Basset Hound/Border Collie mix.  "Poppy", a 2 year old Cock-A-Poo, is a certified therapy dog.  Both were adopted from Springdale Animal Services and now enjoy helping out with this program and other animal shelter events.  The combined efforts of shelter staff, volunteers, teachers, and school administrators make this program a success and a pleasure for all involved.  Thanks for your support!