Children invited to read to friendly dogs
by Sharon Jackson
KAGAWONG—What could be better than curling up with a good book? How about curling up with your favourite book and a dog in a space designed especially for kids?
Magical Paws Pet Therapy recently partnered with the Billings Public Library to help children develop confidence and improve their reading skills in a fun, non threatening, no pressure environment while ‘teaching’ certified therapy dogs to read.
Magical Paws recognizes the community need for pet therapy and their qualified volunteer handler/animal teams do their best to provide a service where there is a need (elderly/disabled/children) through visits to facilities, residences and schools.
Saturday was the second meet up group for kids aged 6-10 to read one on one to a book buddy from Magical Paws Pet Therapy.
Nine-year-old collie mix River has been a therapy dog since August of 2015 and visits regularly at the Centennial Manor in Little Current and Manitoulin Lodge in Gore Bay.
Julie McDermid, co-coordinator of the Manitoulin Magical Paws chapter, shared with the first reader, a nine-year-old girl, that “one of River’s favourite things is to be read to.” The three of them got cozy in the book nook, which is a space with kid friendly cushions in fun colours and a dog bed. Picking one of her favourite books, ‘Super Cat,’ she read to River, who was happy to receive belly rubs and lots of pats.
The pilot project, started in Billings Township, shared Ms. McDermid, is the first step in getting the program off the ground.
Kids need consistency when it comes to reading, she explained. Ms. McDermid does not correct the children if they make a mistake (while reading) as she feels they are corrected in school and this program is meant to be fun and to encourage positive interactions between the children and the dogs.
Six-year-old Leith was next to pick a book and get comfy in the book nook and read to River. He chose ‘Math Curse,’ which they both enjoyed. While Leith read, it held River’s attention, a gentle sweet dog.
