[kids-lib] Program with Reading Assistance Dogs

[Kimbre Chapman]

Hi  Karl,
 
When I was the Children's Librarian at a public library near Boise, we tried a Read-to-Dog program. There had been a program prior to my time there and there were problems with scheduling children to show up at the time the service dog was there.  The appointments were made but the children didn't show. A few other libraries I knew of had similar problems. I tried a different approach with a kindly man and his really sweet dog, but he came to us rather than having to find him. The pair came in for informal Saturday sessions, once a month and then later for special programs. He would read to the children and they would read short passages to each other.  I'd pick out books of varying levels, but always high interest. It was informal, low key and had no sign up.  A big draw was the dog, who was beautiful, great with kids and an unusual breed. At the end of the reading, dog bone cookies would be served.  Games were added to the reading
 and homemade cookies when later we started doing special holiday parties with the dog. I thinks this works in a small library.  Another program that worked was coordinating with one of the local schools that had a number of stuggling readers. The dog and her trainer went to the school for about an hour once a week during the children's time in the school's library.  The children would read to the dog, which worked pretty well too. To connect this with the library, I'd visit once a month with a puppet or two, along with some brand new picture books.   
 
Hope this helps.
 
Kimbre Chapman
Children's Services Supervisor
McMinnville Public Library
503-435-5569   

________________________________
From: Karl Thang <karl at creswell-library.org>
To: kids-lib at listsmart.osl.state.or.us 
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 4:00 PM
Subject: [kids-lib] Program with Reading Assistance Dogs



Hi, everyone! 

I'm Karl, the new Youth Librarian in Creswell. I'm looking into bringing a Reading Assistance Dog (preferably from the READ program) for an event this year; has anyone implemented an event that connects the dots between service dogs + kids + reading? I'd love to hear from you! Did you connect with the READ program or did you have better luck reaching out to local veterinary organizations? What activities did you do -- was it a 'storytime with a dog' or something more involved, like letting kids read to the dog? 

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

-- 

Karl Thang | Youth & Community Services Librarian, Creswell Library 

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