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Exclusive Interview with Bayley, the Bernedoodle

Reading Dog – LUM After School Program

GRRR-Ruff. My name is Bayley, and I am a six-month-old Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle mix). My dog guardians are Nancy, Greg & Carly Emig. Nancy, Greg, Carly and I live in West Lafayette with my animal-siblings: Zoey (7 years old) & Abbey (3 years old) who are both Golden Retrievers and my best friends.

I am a big fan of LUM because the students in the LUM After School Program read to me every Monday afternoon. After they read to me, I usually give them a high-five or shake their hand. I love making them laugh and smile — and give kisses. Mostly though they read to me and we relax together. They tell me that I’m perfect for LUM because I love people (especially kids), I’m really mellow and I don’t shed or bother people with allergies.
I also visit the LUM Office every other week with Nancy when she works as the volunteer afternoon LUM receptionist. I greet everyone who visits the office and love meeting the LUM Emergency Shelter guests at 2 p.m. when they check in to pick up their passes — because I get lots of attention and they smile at me a lot. It makes me happy to make them happy.

It gives me great joy to give my human-friends happiness, comfort and hope during difficult times. I especially enjoy seeing the children in the LUM After School Program get excited about reading books and develop their mastery of the subject matter, knowledge, and their ability to apply that knowledge to the real world. It is a win-win – they become better readers and I get to hear great stories. I love those kids!


To view more PHOTOS of Bayley with the LUM students, click HERE.


Kibbles & Bits

  • In 2017, 33% of Indiana fourth graders read at or below basic level; and
  • 59% of Indiana fourth graders do not read at a proficient level-demonstrating mastery of subject matter, knowledge, or the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress)
  • Bayley and others like her provide a win-win for helping to further the development and interest in reading for our children
  • There are proven benefits of animal assisted learning with children and adults (International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health)
  • The LUM After School Program provides safe, fun and enriching childcare for up to 60 children in Kindergarten to 8th grade. In 2018, 105 children were provided academic support and education enrichment in a fun learning environment each day after school.

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