OTISFIELD – Emma sat on a plaid mattress reading a book aloud. Rudy lay next to her.

Occasionally he’d get distracted by a treat or other activity in the room, but overall he was enjoying story time.

The Otisfield Community School kindergarten student read softly and confidently, knowing that Rudy was listening, but also knowing he wouldn’t criticize her if she missed a word.

The 4-year-old Irish Setter kept quiet, but students have known him to bark if he liked a certain part of the story.

Rudy has spent four years at Otisfield Community School. Principal Linda Park, known by staff and students as “Parkaroo,” is his owner. Students read to him and write stories about him, which, school officials say, have boosted literacy skills.

Rudy’s home is the kindergarten room, but older students still pay him visits to read and write with him, Park said.

“It’s amazing the motivation he gives these kids,” said kindergarten teacher Angie Craib.

Rudy is well-behaved in the classroom, Craib said. He learned the rules with the rest of the class – be quiet when the teacher is talking, and raise your paw if you have something to say.

He might even sing – rather, bark – the alphabet with the rest of the class.

Parent Vickie Gallant said she has three children who have read to Rudy, and because of him their confidence in literacy spiked. Her youngest, Caleigh, is in kindergarten.

“My middle child, Brittany, was very unsure about herself,” Gallant said. Three to four months later she was “just blazing.”

First grade teacher Kemsen Bourque also noticed Rudy’s impact.

“They just feel really comfortable. No one is correcting them. It’s all for pleasure,” Bourque said. “They’ll come back, and I’ll ask what their favorite part was. Instead, they’ll tell me Rudy’s favorite part.”

She encourages them to write stories about their furry friend.

“That’s when they write their best, is when they write about Rudy,” Bourque said.

Rudy has been serving others since his puppy days. At 6 months old, Park said Rudy was eligible to be an assistant therapy dog. At a treatment center he met a blind person.

“She would smile,” Park said.

The nurse commented that it was the first time that person had smiled in ages, Park said.

“If he could make these people smile, what could he do to kids that hated to read?” she added.

The superintendent approved and the experiment began. First, she said, she targeted the high-risk kids, and then started using him in daily classroom activities.

“That year our kids skyrocketed in reading and writing,” Park said.

Careful not to lose the program, Park said she is mindful of any allergy a kid may have. Rudy does not take the place of a teacher, she added.

Inside Park’s office are two scrapbooks. One contains drawings and stories written about Rudy over the years. The other is comprised of photos and news clippings about her pet.

The dog has received lots of press, and even a sentiment award from Gov. John Baldacci.

One student had drawn a picture of Rudy with a rose.

“…Rudy is soft. Rudy has brown eyes,” the student had written. Park said that students had been instructed to describe Rudy as a lesson in association.

Another sheet of paper also had a drawing.

“Rudy is my friend,” the student had written.