Eight-year-old Izzy Richling reads to Lehlo, a very good listener, at the Antigo Public Library. |
Well-traveled model is good listener too July 11, 2009 She’s a New York model with a Dutch accent and South African moniker.
And she’s got a soft spot for children at the Antigo Public Library.
Lehlo, a five-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, has been transplanted from New York to Antigo with owner Cheryl Lipori. But she’s missed nary a beat in her role encouraging cautious readers to hone their skills during library story time.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks were developed by Dutch settlers in South Africa to hunt lions and have a reputation as family protectors with a quiet nature. Lehlo, like many of her breed, sports a native African name. In her case, it means “blessing,” appropriate to her new role as a library listener.
“It’s a great program for reluctant readers,” Youth Librarian Anna Haase said. “Children who may be shy about reading to parents or teachers often find new confidence reading to a dog or another animal.”
Haase was involved in a therapy dog program when she worked in Minnesota, and hoped to establish a similar service here sometime. But those long-range plans were stepped up when Lipori and Lehlo arrived in Antigo from New York City in January.
She’s being put to work this summer.
Lipori got Lehlo as a puppy, through a Rhodesian Ridgeback rescue service based in Arkansas.
“When she was five or six months old, we noticed that she really liked kids,” Lipori said. “She really liked being around people.”
So Lipori sent her to a professional for training as a therapy dog, a job Lehlo took to, well, like a retriever to water.
Along the way the dog also dabbled in modeling and even had a booking agent for photo shoots.
Big city life aside, Lehlo is very down-to-earth. As a therapy dog, she is accustomed to behaving calmly in all sorts of extreme situations, such as a room of squealing youngsters. She also has an excellent grasp of basic commands and happily “high fives” visitors on command.
Lipori received training as well, chiefly in how to protect her dog.
“I’m here for her best interest,” she said. “I’m watching her and always monitoring the situations.”
The library held a “meet-and-greet” with Lipori and Lehlo earlier this month and is now signing up children for appointments to read to the dog on Thursday afternoons and occasional Saturdays. Call 623-3724 to schedule a time.
“Our focus is to get children who are struggling, to get them excited and ready to read,” Haase said.
Lehlo, with her expressive brown eyes, namesake ridge of hair along her back, and quiet disposition, is an excellent listener. Children find an instant rapport, and she obviously loves them right back.
“And she doesn’t judge, ever,” Lipori said.
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