Lola Goes to Work: A Nine-to-Five Therapy Dog
Goldman, Marcia (Author)
Creston Books
2013. 32 pagesText Elements:
Reading Range
Description:
Children will adore the sweet story of Lola the therapy dog and the important work she does every day. In just one or two simple sentences per page, the language portrays Lola’s training, her successful results and her daily routine of visiting eldercare centres, bookstores and classrooms. “Now when it’s time to go to work, I run to put on my scarf. I leave my toys behind and I’m ready to go.”
Photo-documentary style illustrations show the real Lola—a cute little pooch with long hair that gets in her eyes. One image shows her at training school, dwarfed between two other student-dogs.
Young readers will relate to Lola’s struggles to learn, as another funny shot shows Lola tangled in her leash: “Sometimes it was very hard.” As a working therapy dog, Lola is shown snuggling with sick folks, receiving pats and treats from schoolchildren, and even reading a book with one friend. At the end of the day, when Lola returns home, she looks as if she’s smiling at the camera. “I hope tomorrow I will get to do my big job again.”
Elementary English Language Arts Activities
- Discuss the role of a therapy dog. List the ways Lola helps people.
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Name some other jobs dogs can do (e.g. sled dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, rescue dogs). What dog breeds do some of these jobs? Why is it permitted to pet Lola but not a Seeing Eye dog?
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Bring in a picture of your dog or one you would like to have and explain what makes him/her special. Share a story about your dog or tell the class something you know about the breed.
Elementary English as a Second Language Activities
- Discuss the role of therapy dog. List the ways Lola can help people.
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Discuss the breeds and jobs of working animals. Draw a mind map of these animals.
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Research the qualities that are needed for specific types of working dogs.
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Write an autobiography focussing on how you are helpful to others. Use the book as a model. Take pictures of yourself in action to illustrate your book.
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Highlight an animal that is helpful in your community. Use Lola's story as a model.
Cross-Curricular Competency
- To construct his/her identity
Broad Area of Learning
- Citizenship and Community Life
Subject Areas
- Geography, History and Citizenship
- Science and Technology
- Discuss the role of a therapy dog. List the ways Lola helps people.
-
Name some other jobs dogs can do (e.g. sled dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, rescue dogs). What dog breeds do some of these jobs? Why is it permitted to pet Lola but not a Seeing Eye dog?
-
Bring in a picture of your dog or one you would like to have and explain what makes him/her special. Share a story about your dog or tell the class something you know about the breed.
- Discuss the role of therapy dog. List the ways Lola can help people.
-
Discuss the breeds and jobs of working animals. Draw a mind map of these animals.
-
Research the qualities that are needed for specific types of working dogs.
-
Write an autobiography focussing on how you are helpful to others. Use the book as a model. Take pictures of yourself in action to illustrate your book.
-
Highlight an animal that is helpful in your community. Use Lola's story as a model.
- To construct his/her identity
- Citizenship and Community Life
- Geography, History and Citizenship
- Science and Technology