Kids read aloud to dogs 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from Jan. 21
Howland Public Library on 313 Main St. in Beacon invites children in grades kindergarten through fifth to participate in Tail Waggin’ Tutors, held from 4 to 5 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month beginning Jan. 21.
Children who need practice, especially those with reading difficulties, will have the opportunity to read out loud to Aries, a specially trained therapy dog from Therapy Dogs International (TDI). “Dogs are wonderful — they listen patiently and they don’t criticize.”
Children will have the opportunity to sit with Aries, a Cane Corso, in a quiet spot in the library, get to know him, choose a book and read to their furry buddy. Aries’ good friend, Ella, a Great Dane, will be joining him sometimes, too. A child can relax and forget about how hard he/she thinks reading is and, instead, look forward to it. TDI and Howland Public Library hope to enhance children’s love of books and lay the foundation for a lifetime of reading and learning.
Aries and owner Caley will be at the library between January and April. Parents may sign children up for a 15-minute time slot. Parents may register children multiple times, but the library will try to give priority to those who have not yet had a turn.
Registration is ongoing; register by contacting Ginny Figlia, youth services librarian, at 845-831-1134, ext.103 or [email protected]. For more children’s programs, check the library’s online event calendar at beaconlibrary.org.
