Certified Therapy Dogs are helping children read better and more confidently. The program is held at the Manitowoc Public Library on the second Tuesday night of every month. We were able to catch up with Julia Lee, the MPL’s Youth Services manager, Who told us “Studies show that children are more comfortable reading to animals,” and that the dogs serve as a comfort and kind of a cheerleader for the children. “They don’t judge when the child is reading.” Lee told us. “It’s a safe space.” According to Lee, the program was started by some friends who “started getting their dogs certified, and they just have continued to come to the library.” One of the children on hand last night was Elizabeth Schwellinger a 6 year old kindergartner at Riverview School.
And, Elizabeth’s mom said her daughter “read her first book out loud with her!” In addition the children and their families create chew-toys from strips of donated t-shirts to be given to the Lakeshore Humane Society.
