Paws to Read at the Allen County Public Library

I was just catching up on reading the weekend newspaper so I could throw it away and I saw an article in “On the Scene” in the Journal-Gazette Weekender about one of my very favorite activities at our local library.

It is called Paws to Read and is one of the many programs the ACPL provides for kids. Quoting from the article in the Journal-Gazette:

“Good ol’ Fido. Not only will that lovable mutt of yours fetch your newspaper, keep your feet warm at night and search your garbage for any half-eaten cans of beans you might have “accidentally” thrown away, he’s also the world’s best listener.

He never gossips, judges you for not switching to energy-saving light bulbs or teases you about your inability to pronounce the word “pulchritudinous.”

This is why Fido – and a host of other therapy dogs – arrives weekly at several of our local library branches for Paws to Read, an opportunity for kids to read aloud to a smiling, tail-wagging pup.”

Euneisha Bright, 9, gets encouragement from therapy dog Phil while reading with the Paws to Read program at Hessen Cassel library.

Arial Lee, 11, reads a story to Phil. Doesn’t he look like he is reading along?

Photos by Cathie Rowand | The Journal Gazette

This was also written up on the ACPL’s Innovation through Technology blog and the comments talk about how great it is that kids get to read to someone friendly and non-judgemental.

Other libraries are also doing this type of program. Gail Wechsler Says: There is a similar program in the St. Louis area called, I believe, Love on a Leash. Part of the success of these programs, I think, is that animals are not judgmental and are not intimidating so kids are not afraid of how they will sound as they read to them.

You can look on the ACPL main library Children’s Services programs page and the ACPL Branches Children’s programs for more programs.

And just for fun, here’s a link to a post and pictures of the Dupont Branch Llamas @ the Library.

And check out all these pictures from the various ACPL children’s programs (and a little more).

I love my library!

What: Paws to Read

When and where : 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Aboite branch, 5630 Coventry Lane; 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Dupont branch, 536 E. Dupont Road; 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays at Georgetown branch, 6600 E. State Blvd.; 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Grabill branch, 13521 State St., Grabill; 5 p.m. Mondays at Hessen Cassel branch, 3030 E. Paulding Road; 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays at Little Turtle branch, 2201 Sherman Blvd.; 7 p.m. Mondays at Tecumseh branch, 1411 E. State Blvd.; 4:30 p.m. first and third Mondays at Waynedale branch, 2200 Lower Huntington Road.

Cost : Ear scratches and belly rubs

~Susan Mellott