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Kids' library reading program going to the dogs

02-21-2008 | Family

By Rob Cline

Stella, Millie, Griff, and Drummer seemed happy to see one another. Moose, it turned out, couldn’t make it because he lives in the country and the snow is, of course, making travel a bit tricky.

But Moose or no Moose, the two golden retrievers, the poodle/labrador mix, and the smallest, most mixed of the dogs were happy to settle in at the Hiawatha Public Library to hear some stories.

Wednesday marked the second time the dogs, each affiliated with Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI), had come to the library to listen to children read as part of TDI’s “Children Reading to Dogs: Tail Waggin’ Tutors” program.

Youth Services Librarian Alicia Mangin signed the Hiawatha library up for program.

“The whole premise is that you take kids who are reluctant to read and you put them beside a therapy trained dog,” Mangin explained. “It seriously works…You can just see their confidence growing.”

Julie Burgin, an evaluator for TDI who was on hand with Drummer, agreed.

“Kids feel comfortable reading to dogs. The dogs aren’t critical; they just accept them for who they are,” Burgin said. “The program encourages kids to come in and read when they might not otherwise.”

Currently, the Hiawatha program takes a mere half hour each month. Parents and their children can sign up for a fifteen minute slot in advance or drop in. And, of course, they can bring their own books or select from the library’s shelves.

On Wednesday, the four dogs heard a variety of stories from boys and girls of varying ages and reading abilities. The child reading Cindy Ward’s "Cookie’s Week" to Griff was very careful to ensure that the dog could see the illustrations by Tomie dePaola. "Curious George and the Firefighters," "Sam the Minuteman," and Richard Scarry’s "Watch Your Step, Mr. Rabbit" were among the other books read.

The humans who accompanied the dogs gave gentle help when a reader required it, but it was clear that the children were reading to and for the dogs, not the adults.

Glenn, a man who has had three children participate in the program over the two months it has been featured at the library, acknowledged that “Children Reading to Dogs” is a hit in his family.

“My kids love it,” he said. “It gives them a chance to get out and read to a dog, and the good thing is that they don’t have to worry about missing a word with a dog, or worry about someone thinking they can’t read, so it makes them more comfortable.”

Glenn and his children were among those who finished up their session and immediately signed up for the next event on Thursday, March 20. With any luck at all, the weather will have taken a turn for the better, and Moose will once again be able to join his friends both canine and human.