The Connection

Every second Saturday of the month, the quiet of the library is broken by the sound of nails clicking on tile as therapy dogs enter the Pohick Regional Library for the “Read to a Dog” program to help readers practice their skills in reading aloud.

Reading is such a fundamental skill, but for many, learning to sound out words and make sense of jumbled letters can be challenging. In some Fairfax County libraries, dogs are lending an ear to children who need extra practice in reading without judgement, or who love to read for the pure enjoyment of books. All find a willing audience in a dog.

For each 15 minute session, the reader and the dog settle down on a blanket with a selected book. The child holds the book so the dog can see and begins to read aloud. There may be some help on tough words from the dog’s handler or a handy parent, and perhaps even an encouraging kiss or steadying paw from the dog. The session progresses with the dog as a comfortable attentive audience, or perhaps a sleeping one, as the child reads without the pressure of judgement. In this comfortable environment, children find it’s easier to practice reading skills; finding it easier to read aloud to a dog than to classmates as dogs take no notice if mistakes are made. As the University of California-Davis found in it’s 2010 study of the similar programs, children who read to a dog report greater enjoyment of reading,

The dogs in the program are trained therapy dogs. That means they have passed obedience and temperament tests, and they receive regular veterinary care. Some who come to Pohick Regional Library have extensive experience and service hours; others are new, but all show a natural inclination for therapy work.

Tia and Sammy are veteran readers and have served for 8 and 6 years respectively. They hold American Kennel Club Therapy Dog and Canine Good Citizen titles and have both worked with the elderly, severely injured adults, students at all educational levels, and provided comfort from the stresses of travel during holidays to passengers and crew at United Airlines concourse at Dulles International Airport.

Penny, a young Vizsla, is just beginning her service. Michael Bradley, with his wife, Katie, who handle Penny in her work, says “Penny is really good with people and seems to sense disabilities. Though an energetic puppy, she calms immediately when she senses a person needs special consideration. It’s also important to Katie and I [therapy dog work]. We both see the benefit.”

Tricia and Bob Downey, who handle Sammy and Bubby, have been active with their dogs in therapy work for many years in several settings. Tricia was an original coordinator and volunteered for many years for the program at Pohick, which operates through affiliation with the therapy dog organization, People, Animals, Love (PALS). Tricia notes that the Pohick program is now in its 11th year.

Children who come may not realize that the program is long running or based on the premise that dogs are non-judgmental friends who can aid their reading development and practice. Those children are just having fun, reading to dogs.

Susan Laume is a part-time writer/photographer for “The Blue View” who works with her dog, Tia, as a therapy dog team; and who advocates for animal legislation (www.novaca.org).