This might just be the cutest and
most heart-warming library program I have ever encountered - children gaining
self-confidence and improving their literacy skills by reading to dogs in the
library. According to an article in August's issue of American Libraries
magazine, libraries across the United States (and some closer to home) are
bringing registered therapy dogs into the library a couple times a month to
listen to kids read.
The programs, with names such as
"Read to Your Breed," "PAWS to Read," and "PAWS for a
Story" provide a safe and nurturing environment for beginning and
struggling readers. While most children would find it an exciting change
to read to a dog, the experience is especially beneficial for children who may
be slower readers than their peers. Since animals are perceived as
uncritical, it is easier for a child to read to a dog than it is for them to
read to a grownup. Gloria Laube, a certified dog handler, noticed that
children who read to dogs "become more confident readers as well as
develop more self-confidence socially. Some children who would barely
whisper were reading normally after a few weeks" (Hartman, 2010).
Gloria is so passionate about the program that she started librarydogs.com, a website designed to
encourage others to start up similar programs.
Now, some of you may be hesitant about
bringing a dog into the library fearing that they might be messy or might
misbehave, but this is why the programs only use trained therapy dogs.
Therapy dogs are trained to listen to commands and have calm temperaments
that make children feel comfortable. They are also well groomed and have
no problems staying on a leash. The dogs used in Read to Your Breed (San
Diego Public Library) stay on a leash and sit on a mat or blanket the whole
time they are in the library. Sunny, an 80 pound Collie even lets the
children cuddle up to her while they read and is attentive during the story.
I thought this was such a great idea that
I did a bit more research on similar programs and discovered that Edmonton
Public Library has already embraced this idea. In collaboration with the Pet Therapy Society of Northern
Alberta 14 out of 17 EPL branches present PAWS for a Story
at least once a month.
Libraries looking to use therapy dogs in
the library should check out:
PALS
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog
Service http://www.sja.ca/Alberta/communityservices/programs/pages/TherapyDogService.aspx
Library Dogs
(Reference: Hartman, Anna. "Good Dog. Sit. Listen." American Libraries, August 2010 http://bit.ly/9qN6ta)
I just love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Lauren!