By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA — On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Pages, Pens & Paws (PPP) founder Nicole Selby held a literacy event at Notre Dame Elementary School (NDES) in Caledonia. The event also served as the official book launch for Moxy Makes a Difference, a children’s book written by Selby and Tonya Cartmell and illustrated by Kira Alexanian.
PPP is a group of authors, publishers, illustrators, and educators who believe in making reading fun for kids. They partner their programs with a pet therapy expert, increasing both mental health and cognitive benefits. Selby noted, “Literacy is the best predictor of success in life,” adding that PPP’s programs focus first on getting children interested in storytelling and then introducing literacy.
The literacy event featured Selby reading Moxy Makes a Difference to the junior and senior kindergarten and Grade 2 and 3 students. One of the many things that made this presentation special is that Moxy Makes a Difference takes place at NDES and tells the story of a boy named Jordyn and the special connection he makes with Moxy, which helps him overcome his fear of dogs.
Moxy, a Doberman Pinscher, used to accompany Selby on pre-COVID visits to NDES. Moxy’s gentle and kind nature challenged stereotypes about her breed. Sadly, since then Moxy passed away at the age of 6. Selby says, “We were very sad to lose her, not only was she an amazing therapy dog, but she was also a wonderful advocate for the breed. Many people who are scared of Dobermans meet her and change their view on what a dog can be, regardless of her breed.”
Following in Moxy’s paw prints, Tanner, a 2-year-old goldendoodle, now attends literacy events with Selby, which is a ‘side gig’ to his main job with the Community Paramedic Wellness Team. Tanner was trained by Autism Dog Services and was donated to Haldimand Paramedic Services, now living with Selby, a Haldimand paramedic, and her family. Selby explains, “Once in a while they have a dog that is not the right fit for an autistic child, but is the right fit for a working dog but for another job.”
Selby says Tanner is a perfect fit for her literacy programs: “He loves children and being a part of working with children.”
This was proven repeatedly at the event when NDES students and teachers alike gathered around Tanner for their daily dose of doggie medicine.
For information about Pages, Pens & Paws, visit pagespenspaws.com and to volunteer or donate to Autism Dog Services please visit autismdogservices.ca.
