英语PK台 第252期:牙科特别助理金毛犬

 　　Comfort Dog Keeps Scared Kids Company at the Dentist

　　Meet 6-year-old Golden Retriever Jo Jo, a trained Comfort dog helping¹ ease the fears of terrified kids at one Illinois children's dental clinic. The youngsters find comfort and security by petting Jo Jo or by holding her paws during their procedures, according to Dr. Paul Egger of the Pediatric Dentistry of Northbrook.

　　This isn't Jo Jo's first rodeo. She has been a source of strength for many kids and adults facing tough situations, including the traumatized students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut after a mass shooting in 2012 left 26 dead, her handler Lynne Ryan told ABC News.

　　Dogs that act in this capacity must be certified² to do so, Dr. Cheryl London of the Ohio State University's Veterinary Medical Center told ABC News. "Therapy dogs are highly trained and highly screened." There would only be one concern. "The potential drawback would be if a child had allergies," London said. Jo Jo works only with patients who are comfortable having her around them, and she only works once a month.

　　Vocabulary:

　　Traumatize, capacity, screen, draw

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 certified   

a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的

参考例句：

• Doctors certified him as insane. 医生证明他精神失常。
• The planes were certified airworthy. 飞机被证明适于航行。