By Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Bentley, the beloved namesake of Bentley’s Buddies and Friends, had about the best day a pup could have before crossing over the rainbow bridge Wednesday night.
As always, his owner, Nickie Scott, gave him lots of love and kisses, and her parents stopped by to visit him too. Her mom played Bentley gospel music, and her dad sang to him. One of the countless kids who used to read to Bentley stopped by for a visit. Even though the boy’s leg was in a cast, his mom carried him in so he could have one last snuggle with the dog he’d grown to love.
Loving Bentley was a common practice throughout Hancock County, where the 94-pound Great Pyrenees made a name for himself through the Bentley’s Buddies and Friends reading program his owner created about five years ago.
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Scott guesses that more than 10,000 kids have taken part in the program, which encourages reading by pairing kids with furry, four-legged reading partners who are attentive, non-judgmental listeners. The program has been proven to encourage children’s reading skills and build their confidence.
Becky Teeguarden, owner of the Nutty Mutt Emporium in Greenfield, said Bentley’s reading program is the perfect legacy for a larger-than-life dog the whole community had grown to love.
“He was an inspiration and touched so many lives, and truly changed the future of so many children,” she said.
Bentley, who was 10, passed away around 9 p.m. Wednesday with Scott and her husband, Terry Scott, by his side.
He had developed a blood disorder and pancreatitis, and had spent five nights in the hospital two weeks ago. Scott could tell he was fighting, but his illness eventually overtook him, and he died peacefully with his big, soft head in her hands.
Thursday was an emotional day for Scott, who spent the day fielding phone calls and Facebook messages from people wanting to share their positive memories of Bentley, and the way his reading program impacted them or their kids.
“The comments and stories that people are sending me are just so touching,” said Scott, who lives in Greenfield. “Bentley was just a special boy. I’ve never seen a pupper or dog who was so loved.”
Scott recalled the day she first met Bentley in 2012 — when she answered a rescue group’s Facebook plea for someone to pick up a large, 18-month-old dog that had been hit by a car in Bloomington. As soon as she laid eyes on the badly injured dog, she began to doubt he’d ever make it back to the rescue. “I called and told them he’s our boy. He’s coming home with me instead,” she said.
The Great Pyrenees is a breed lovingly referred to as “gentle giants” for their stately size and gentle nature. It’s that gentle nature that made Bentley the perfect dog to launch the reading program Scott had been dreaming of.
Because of his loving nature, the community embraced him, and children embraced reading. “It’s because of him we’ve been able to help all these kiddos. It’s because of him we’re going to be able to help another 10,000 kids,” said Scott, who calls Bentley a trailblazer.
Since launching the reading program in 2014, Scott has grown the program from one dog and four classes to 40 dogs and over 400 classes. She opened the program to other volunteers and their dogs, who now visit students of all ages in the Greenfield-Central and Southern Hancock school systems, plus St. Michael Catholic School, where the program originated.
Kids who need more of a one-on-one approach can visit with a dog at Bentley’s Place, a cozy reading nook with couch and cushions that can be shared by canines and kids.
Reading to dogs provides a stress-free way for children to learn to love reading, or to gradually overcome reading challenges they may have, Scott said.
“A dog is not going to tell a kid they’re wrong, will never give them a test, will never make fun of them. Reading to a dog just breaks down the barriers of reading by building up the confidence in the child,” Scott said.
Stacy Blanton knows that firsthand.
“Lucy and Bentley just formed a bond, and she improved so much after she started reading to him,” she said.
The Greenfield mom said Bentley was responsible for making her fifth-grade daughter Lucy more comfortable with reading, giving her the confidence she needed to improve her grades and pass her standardized testing, which was the goal for enrolling her in the reading program back when Lucy was in the second grade.
“My child had zero confidence in herself when it came to reading. She did not have very good fluency, and her comprehension was not up to par with her peers. But this program built her confidence to the point she was able to read chapter books. She really advanced more quickly than she would have without it,” she said.
“These kids really relate to these dogs. These dogs become their best friends,” said Scott. “I have necklaces hanging in the office where kids have given me the other half of a best friend necklace for Bentley.”
While there will be a hole in her heart after Bentley’s passing, Scott has three other dogs all rescued Great Pyrenees — who will continue in Bentley’s footsteps.
She said it’s so rewarding each time someone reaches out to let them know what a difference Bentley and his friends have made in their lives.
“I was at Culver’s the other day, and this teenage girl comes up and says, ‘I know your dog. I read with Bentley.’ She remembered reading with Bentley in elementary school and still had fond memories. It’s great to know he’s made such an impact,” she said.
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At a glance
Bentley’s Buddies & Friends
1220 W. Main St., Suite G
Greenfield
bentleysbuddies.com
(317) 642-7707
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