18A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 10, 2015
Polk County News
Pawed friends help young readers
Gentle, patient canines are the stars of Dallas Library’s Read to the Dog program
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
DALLAS — Davos, the
Burnese mountain dog, was
in for a treat June 3 at the
Dallas Public Library.
One of three dogs in the
library’s Read to the Dog
program, that afternoon he
was more than just a patient
listener, but the audience for
a spontaneous puppet show.
After reading to Davos,
Kyra Weeks, friend Maria
Mabry, and Kyra’s younger
sister, Cierra, wanted to
spend more time with the
gentle giant. They put on a
show using all the puppets
in the children’s section of
the library in their im-
promptu production.
Davos, panting happily
the entire time, and his
o w n e r, J e a n N i e l s o n ,
watched until it was time for
the trio to check out their
books.
“I love the program be-
cause some kids who are in-
timidated by reading in front
of an adult don’t mind read-
ing to a dog,” Nielson said. “I
love it when they show him
the pictures. It cracks me up
— it’s so sweet.”
A therapy dog, at times
Davos does more than just
listen. An intimidating sight
at 122 pounds and a face the
size of a platter, small chil-
dren can be nervous around
him. Davos knows just the
trick to calm those fears.
“I think he senses when
they are not comfortable, so
he will slowly go into a down
— he will lay down — so
they are not so intimidated,”
Nielson said.
Before long, children real-
ize he is just a big, fluffy
teddy bear. They treat him as
such when they read to him.
“Sometimes he doesn’t act
like he is paying attention,
but he will lay and he will
sprawl and he loves to have
the kids come up and cud-
dle him,” Nielson said.
Davos seems to have been
born for that type of interac-
tion, whether it be with chil-
dren learning to read or
Local students graduate from LBCC
ALBANY — The 47th annual Linn-Benton Community College
Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at
the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in the Willamette Event
Center in Albany.
LBCC will award 1,065 degrees and certificates to 824 stu-
dents this year.
In addition, approximately 25 students completed LBCC’s
General Educational Development program and will receive
their certificates at commencement.
The following local students will receive degrees:
Dallas: Jason L. Bayne, associate of applied science water, en-
vironment and technology; Robert J. Boatman, associate of ap-
plied science drafting engineering graphics tech; George P.
Evans, associate of arts Oregon transfer; Felicia L. McConnell, as-
sociate of science business administration emphasis; Jordan
Stan, certificate — one-year dental assistant; Hannah J. Swan,
associate of applied science medical assistant; and Lynne M.
Wiensz, associate of general studies.
Independence: Nuria Bloom, certificate — one-year medical
office specialist; John P. Tessier, associate of applied science
heavy equipment/diesel tech; and Kayla R. Vandervelden, certifi-
cate — one-year medical office specialist.
Monmouth: Todd D. Caudill, associate of applied science ma-
chine tool technology.
Dallas Lions award scholarship to BYU
DALLAS — Hannah Johnson was awarded a $1,000 scholar-
ship from the Dallas Lions Club.
Hannah will attend Brigham Young University in the fall to
pursue a degree in nutrition and food services.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Davos listens as Kyra Weeks reads a story on June 3 at Dallas Public Library. The Bur-
nese mountain dog is one of three dogs in the library’s “Read to the Dog” program.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Kadence Morrison, center, reads a book to Davos on June
3 as his owner, Jean Nielson, left, looks on.
adults in nursing homes or
care facilities.
“When he was a puppy,
we took him to the beach,
and instead of playing with
the other dogs, he would
walk up to people,” Nielson
explained. “He would sit
down and look up and wait
for them to pet him.”
When Davos was about 2
years old, he was trained
through Paws for Love to be-
come a certified therapy dog
and has been winning
hearts since.
Wednesday he had to wait
about 15 minutes for some-
one who wanted to read to
show up with a book, but, as
always, Davos was ready.
“Are you going to listen?”
Nielson said to Davos as
third-grader Kadence Morri-
son approached.
When she began reading
Davos would simply watch,
still panting, or look at the
pictures she would show
him.
Next in line was Kyra. She
typically visits the library on
Tuesday afternoon, so it was
a special treat to read to
him. She chose “10 Rubber
Duckies” for her first book,
then picked out “Draw Me a
Star” for her second.
“I like that I got to read to
him,” she said. “It feels spe-
cial to me.”
Betty Simpson, the librari-
an in charge of children’s ac-
tivities, said Davos has en-
deared himself to the library
users and staff.
“He sits on your feet if he
likes you,” she said, smiling.
Two other dogs, Percy, a
Great Pyrenees, and Bella, a
spaniel, are also part of the
program.
They all have fans among
the youngsters.
“They come for certain
dogs,” Simpson said. “They
have their favorites.”
Simpson said adults want
to help kids sound out
words, but dogs allow them
to read at their own pace.
“The dogs just sit there
and listen,” she said.
Dallas students graduate from OIT
KLAMATH FALLS — Three Dallas residents graduate in June
from Oregon Institute of Technology.
Robyn Cole will graduate with a degree in diagnostic medical
sonography; Cassandra Nicole Breeden will graduate in dental
hygiene; and Kara Randall will graduate with a degree in diag-
nostic medical sonography.
Roth named outstanding graduate
MONMOUTH — Kylie Roth of Dallas received the Julia McCul-
loch Smith Award for Outstanding Graduating Woman for 2015
from Western Oregon University. She will speak at commence-
ment at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Local students awarded GFU degrees
NEWBERG — George Fox University awarded more than 700
degrees during commencement ceremonies May 1-2. In total,
eight Polk County students received their degree.
The following local students received their degrees during
the ceremony.
Dallas: Hilary Broadus, bachelor of science in nursing; Joanna
Crawford, master of arts in school counseling; Anna Spence,
bachelor of science in nursing; Victoria Wilson, bachelor of arts
in management.
Independence: Julie Hedrick, bachelor of science in elemen-
tary education.
Monmouth: Katherine Bryant, master of arts in teaching;
Christopher Parks, bachelor of arts in history and politics;
Katherine Vanlandingham, bachelor of arts in journalism.
Central grad earns degree from Wooster
WOOSTER, Ohio — Bjorn Olsen, a graduate of Central High
School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of
Wooster during commencement exercises on May 11.
A studio art major who graduated cum laude, Olsen is a resi-
dent of Monmouth.