When
the children at Glatfelter Memorial library read loudly a story, they did not
clap, but they licked, barked and smelt.
2 years ago, after moving from
California to Spring Grove, PA, Melanie Mersinger realized her child,
Anastasia, was 9 years old at that time, struggled to keep up the new school. “She
could not even read at recommended level in her class”, Melanie said. However,
a program at local library helped her - thanks to very special dogs.
“At school, children must read aloud
in front of the class. That's a lot of pressure”, Deb Sullivan, director of
community relations of York county libraries (including Glatfelter Memorial
Library of Spring Grove). But in Tales for Tails program, children began to
read each word before the certified therapy dogs, the pets are docile and
pliant, they helped children to have less stress. “Dogs do not judge”, Sullivan
said. “It does not care if you read a wrong word. It just gives attention and
unconditional love”.
The result? We have better readers. A California
University’s study in 2010 that researched about similar read program showed an
increase of 12% to 30% on reading fluency ability of children - a discover that
Melanie can trust. “My daughter loves animals, so I think this program will
give her another reason to read”, she explained. Since coming to Tales for
Tails, Anastasia read faster and had less difficult to keep up in class. “We
have a read test every two weeks and now I am doing very well”, said Anastasia.
Library’s program began 6 years ago
when Gemma Martin, a retired primary school teacher, met a woman with a therapy
dog and thought that Molly, the cute hybrid dog between retriever and hunting
dog, would be a good candidate. Molly passed her certification examination and
began to work as a therapy dog. Sooner, Martin began to think about other ways
to use lovely nature of this dog efficiently.
“I know the read-to-dog programs in
other areas and thought our community also need a program like that”, Martin
said. Did not spend much time to convince the civil servant of Spring Grove
library involved. In January 2006, Tales for Tails program launched: the kids
started picking books, found a quiet place and read for some animals (comes
with their trainer) which were recruited from the local therapy dog
organization. “It's amazing to see these happy faces and waving ears”, Martin commented.
Since then, the program has expanded
to six libraries branch at other counties in Pennsylvania, attracted 100
children /month, along with the children came to the library accidentally these
days and wanted to participate for fun. Taryn Wallen, 6 year old, is one of the
regular readers of the program. “My favourist dog is Harry”, she said. “It
always lies next to me, and sometimes put it’s head on my legs to listen the
stories.
Taryn loves dogs so much that she
often registers 3 dogs at one time. “Taryn had no trouble in learning to read,
but she was often shy with people”, her father, Michael, said. “Sitting down
with a book and a dog is her comfort zone. It is supporting her”. And after a
few months, Michael noticed a change in social skills of his daughter. “She
began to open and interact with other people there”, he said.
Martin was not surprised. “Faith of a
child is growing up in this comfortable, relaxing environment”, she explained.
To find programs in your area, contact
your local library, access therapyanimals.org site and click READ or call
801-272-3439.
