There are so many reasons to love dogs. They are affectionate, loyal, full of energy and, it turns out, great reading coaches. Oh, you didn’t know dogs help improve reading skills? Then head to the library to experience Read to a Dog!
Read to a Dog is a popular program among many branches featuring certified therapy dogs who are trained to sit quietly and enjoy a good story. This spring, the Cinnaminson branch is hosting Wilson, a fluffy friend who loves a good story and a quiet sit. You can also meet Ginger, Rooney and Marlie if you head over to the Pinelands branch. They love to hear children practice vocabulary words and discover new sentences.
This unique experience is a great benefit to young readers who may be struggling or shy when reading aloud. The regular practice of reading aloud builds important skills such as word recognition, decoding and pronunciation. Young readers are more likely to tackle challenging passages when they read to a dog. Therapy dogs offer a non-judgmental and stress-free environment for children and reading aloud to them improves fluency.
Studies have also shown a physiological benefit for children when they read to dogs. Interacting with a therapy dog can lower a child's heart rate and blood pressure, as well as reduce anxiety. One of the great things about dogs is that they do not judge! Dogs are not going to correct a child’s mistakes when they mispronounce a word. Children will take risks and read longer, boosting their confidence in the process and fostering a love of reading. Reading to a dog is especially beneficial to ESL learners, special education students and homeschooled students who may be struggling in traditional reading settings.
Dogs also love stories! Being read to by children provides critical mental stimulation and helps them build positive associations with humans. The calm, rhythmic sound of a child’s voice can help reduce stress and cortisol levels in the dogs as well.
Read to a Dog sessions are offered in 15-minute time slots at the Cinnaminson and Pinelands branches. Children are welcome to bring their own book to read aloud, or they can pick one from the library’s collection. The therapy dogs are joined by their handlers and staff members are present for all sessions. They don’t even mind if you read a book about cats!
