Meet Jalapeña

Jalapeña -- known to her friends around the fire hydrant as "Jalee" (pronounced Hay-Lee) -- is an affectionate, outgoing Golden Retriever and trained therapy dog. Like her mother, Jalee understands its not enough to live in the community; you have to be part of it too.  She spends her time visiting and cheering up the elderly and helping young children learn to read by encouraging them to read aloud to her -- helping them improve their confidence in their reading skills.

Please click to jump to a section below:

• Doggie Facts
• Tips For Kids
• Links for Parents
• Jalee's Favorite Books
• Jalee's Photo Gallery
  

Doggie Facts

Jalee and her friend Caleb visit the shops in Old Town , Alexandria,
during the Dog trick or treat event!  Jalee won over the crowds dressed
as a 1920s flapper

Tips for Kids

• Make reading a part of the daily routine - just like taking care of your pet!
• Find books that interest you.
• Get your paws on pages when you can.
• Remember, it's ok to read a little at a time.

Hey Kids! Check out: Woof, it's a dog's life.

Links for Parents

• Reading tips for young children Raising a Reader...tips for making reading fun and appealing for children
• Success By 6 - Born Learning
• Reading is Fundamental
• Reach out and Read
• National Latino Children's Institute

Jalee's Favorite Books

• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
• Gathering the Sun: An ABC in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States
  edited by Lori M. Carlson

Jalee's Photo Gallery

	Jalee gets a hug from Zachary
Jalee shows off her flapper costume to a neighbor	Jalee as an angel for Halloween 2004
On her way to doggy daycare