“Paws to Read” pairs certified therapy animals with young readers who gain reading confidence in a relaxed, stress-free environment.  For reluctant or struggling readers in grades 1-5.

Our therapy dogs & bunnies visit the Library with their owners, who volunteer their time to help young readers. Children’s reading abilities improve as they gain confidence through reading to animals. Why? Animals listen uncritically and wag their tails or twitch their noses as the children read. Research indicates that under these conditions, children’s heart rates actually slow, resulting in a state of calm that leads to greater reading success.

Children involved in PAWS programs nationwide have shown:

• Improved READING skills
• A sense of PRIDE in their accomplishments
• Willingness to become INVOLVED in other positive activities
• Increased RESPECT and KINDNESS in their interactions with animals
• Greater READING enjoyment and increased LIBRARY usage

Program is currently full, please contact Jennifer Whitehead and Judy Schmidt to join the interest list.
323-0417.