Luther and Friends Canine Visitors Bureau

Luther & Friends Canine Visitors Bureau is joining “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” Children Reading to Dogs A Program of Therapy Dogs International

“Tail Waggin Tutors Children Readig to Dogs” began as Luther and Friends Canine Visitors Bureau in April 2006. The Bureau consisted of two programs, C.A.R.E. (Canine Assisted Reading Education) and Responsible Pet Ownership. Over the past four years, seven classes have graduated into this exciting program. All “Tail Waggin Tutors Children Reading to Dogs” teams are certified by Therapy Dogs International to ensure the quality of the dogs and the program. In September 2010 the name of the program was changed to “Tail Waggin Tutors Children Reading to Dogs” at the request of Therapy Dogs International. The new name helps ensure that the quality of the program will remain at the high standards as in the past as more dogs join this exciting group.

This program was founded by Rebecca Vassallo and her dog Luther. Luther Diablo Vassallo began his career as a Moore County School Volunteer. Prior to adding Moore County Schools to his weekly schedule, Luther volunteered and at the Sandhills Children’s Center, Moore County Literacy Council, Elmcroft Assisted Living, Oakdale Heights and St. Joseph of the Pines. Luther is now retired and enjoying life playing with his siblings Shayla, Bojangles, and Dori.

A rescue dog from the Haven, Luther is certified through Therapy Dogs International and has a Canine Good Citizenship Certificate issued through the American Kennel Club. He continued his education by becoming the first canine to receive orientation and training for the C.A.R.E. C anine A ssisted R eading E ducation program (since renamed “Tail Waggin Tutors, Children Reading to Dogs” )Luther completed his training in June, 2006. Luther was the motivation for the creation of the canine visitors bureau and the inspiration for the development of C.A.R.E.

The mission of C.A.R.E and now “Tail Waggin’ Tutors Children Reading to Dogs” is to expand a child’s interest and confidence in reading, thus laying the groundwork for a lifetime of education that will ultimately lead to a higher quality of life.

Thirteen Canines and their owners made up the inaugural graduating class of “Luther and Friends Canine Visitors Bureau” C.A.R.E (Canine Assisted Reading Education) on September 20, 2006. Reading Buddy assignments and hometowns for the inaugural class are; Harry and Sophie with Ursula Walsh, Pinehurst, Aberdeen Elementary; Friday with Jim and Kathy Lupini, Pinehurst, Aberdeen Primary; Cinder with Susan Miller, Pinehurst Academy Heights; Mollie with Barb Randall, Cameron, Cameron Elementary, Rocket with Barb Randall, Cameron, Carthage Elementary; Stubben with Tammy Foster, Vass, Highfalls Elementary; Luther with Rebecca Vassallo, Pinehurst, Pinehurst Elementary; Midi with Charlie Kerr, Pinehurst, Robbins Elementary; Molly with Joe Kling, Seven Lakes, Sandhills Farm Life; Blue with Carole Wilkinson, Southern Pines, Southern Pines Elementary; Tenya with Diana Simpson, Southern Pines, Southern Pines Primary; Bear with Sherri Grantham, Vass-Lakeview Elementary and Molly with Nancy Kling, Seven Lakes, West End Elementary.

Reading Buddy assignments and hometowns for the second class are: Max with Margie Sheroff, West End, West End Elementary; Bailey with Stephanie Wheeler, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Elementary; LiLi with Kitty Cobb; Seven Lakes, Robbins Elementary; Sam with Linda Healy, Fayetteville, Southern Pines Primary; BeBe, Risky and Peggy Sue with Jackie Coger; Seven Lakes, West End Elementary; Honey with Nancy Blythe; Seven Lakes, Robbins Elementary; Mungus with Juli Poindexter; Carthage, Carthage Elementary; Gunner with Kelly Stevens, Pinehurst, Aberdeen Primary and Stormy with Debbie Fleece, Seven Lakes, West End Elementary.

Fifteen canines and their owners graduated on August 10, 2007 and became members of Luther & Friends Canine Visitors Bureau. Joining Luther and 23 teams from the previous two are; Jack and Linda Belford Academy Heights Elementary;, Barney and Nancy Miner Aberdeen Elementary;, Cubby and Marcia Bryan, Southern Pines Elementary; Bella and Betsy Baldelli,, Pinehurst Elementary; Darby and Jeralie Andrews,, Robbins Elementary; Misty and Karen Ogden, Cameron Elementary, Nicholas and Marilyn Johnson, Fayetteville Elementary Schools; Puzzle and Don Bryant, Sandhills Farm Life; Ari and Tanya Garner, Robbins Elementary,; Princess and Eden Holt,Robbins Elementary; Beary and Sandra Easter, West End Elementary; Haku and Kitty Cobb, Robbins Elementary; Eli and Jennifer Furie, Southern Pines Primary; Dela and Barb Randall, Cameron Elementary Holly and Karen Worsham, Aberdeen Elementary;. All teams have their AKC Good Citizenship designation and are certified by Therapy Dogs International. They will begin volunteering in Moore County Schools this fall.

The 4th graduating class consisted of 7 graduates. Graduation was March 7, 2008. Graduates teams include; Nancy Bouldry, Abby, Aberdeen Elementary School; Zeus and Bob Andrews, Robbins Elementary; Sammy and Jan Davenport, West End Elementary; Sadie and Emily Partain, West Pine Middle; King and Gloria Polakof, Sandhills Farm Life; Buddy and Kathy McGougan, Pinehurst Elementary School; Quincy and Alma Jones, Vass-Lakeview Elementary.

On August 7, 2008, 5 new graduates joined Luther and Friends including Tess and Abby with Kathy Constantino, volunteering at Elise middle School and Pinecrest High School, Bailey and Jack Grinter, Pinehurst Elementary; Sarah and Hope Nobles, Carthage Elementary and Maggie and LuAnn Schneider, Southern Pines Primary.

Graduation was held on March 6 for the sixth graduating class; New members are: Max and Valerie Datillo, Carthage Elementary; and Suni and Joy Dulin, Aberdeen Elementary. An additional 14 members passed the Therapy Dog International Test held on February 26 and will receive their school assignments this spring. Members include; Bandit and Debbie Fleece; William and Jan Gustafson; Jorja and Kelly Stevens; Remy and Barb Mattern; Sammi and Amy Imbriale; Buddy and Marilyn Elliott; Scooter and Cindy Davis; Tinkerbell and Maureen Tkacz; Myrtle and Tom Fenney; Ralphie and Sandy Coor; Kong and Jan Davenport; Bella and Stacey Caldwell;Tux and Doris and Bill Russell and Chinook and Nancy Copeland.

Members of the seventh class that graduated on March 12, 2010 include: Yvonne Chempinski & Jasiu, Aberdeen Elementary School; Lynn Delgarn & Millie, school to be determined; Joan Fruiesen & Dolly, school to be determined; Nancy Garner & Muffin, Aberdeen Elementary School; Awena Hurst & Sophie, Aberdeen Elementary School; Karen Larsen & Spike, Pinehurst Elementary School; Frank Marsh & Marlee, Carthage Elementary School; Barbara Mattern & Remy, Aberdeen Primary School; Amy Sawyer & Scout, Aberdeen Elementary and Martha Server & Buster Brown, Aberdeen Primary School.

Twice a year sessions are planned in the future with the goal to place several Tail Waggin’ Tutors Children Reading To Dogs” teams in all primary and elementary schools annually. The next orientation for Luther & Friends is Friday, October 1, 2010 at 4:00pm at the Education Center in Carthage.