The Lorain Public Library System North Ridgeville Branch, 35700 Bainbridge Road, hosted the first session of Brower’s Reading Buddies Jan. 6 at the library, where children can pick a book to read to a therapy dog.
This event marks the first of the series, which will carry on every Saturday morning through Feb. 10, according to the library.
Mark Peters, assistant branch manager, said the series was started as a way to promote reading for children in a fun and nonintimidating way.
“The dogs actually really enjoy the session themselves,” he said. “They’re very attentive, they’re used to being around people so it seems to work well”
The 15-minute long sessions are designed for school-aged children and allows them to practice reading aloud in a space where reading is meant to be fun, according to Peters. Reservations are required due to the popularity of the program.
“It’s a very popular program so we can’t just have people walk in, we do ask for reservations,” he said.
“We are happy to do it, it’s a good time for all.”
Some of the dogs, according to Peters, have been partnering with the program for years to provide a listening ear for youngsters reading to them.
“There are different breeds represented,” he said. “The dogs are all the perfect temperament for this sort of activity.”
The first session of Brower’s Reading Buddies featured therapy dogs Rigby, a yellow Labrador retriever, and Teddy, a labradoodle.
According to Rigby’s owner and Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs volunteer Bonnie Leinberger, she came across the event from a friend who also works with therapy dogs, and thought Rigby would be a perfect fit.
“He enjoys doing it,” she said. “He just loves people and other dogs.”
Not only do the sessions benefit children’s reading, Leinberger said it also teaches children more about dogs, especially those who might not have one or know much about them.
“It lets them know that there are other types of dogs out there too, because we have all different breeds,” she said.
“It’s important that kids learn early that dogs can be friendly, but they do have to be approached in a certain way and they’re not something you just bounce on.”
Leinberger said the sessions are a place where children realize that they can read in front of other people, and dogs, and not be judged in any way.
“They don’t care if the kids take a long time to figure out the words,” said Kris Hoover, volunteer with K9 Caring Angels and Teddy’s owner.
Hoover said a rewarding aspect of the program is to see returning children make progress with reading aloud to an audience.
“What’s really cool is when you have a child that you watch as they progress,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
Session schedule and other events can be found at lorainpubliclibrary.org.
