By Krissy Turner
CLEARFIELD – The Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library in Clearfield has a PAWS for Reading program for children who get anxious while reading so they can have a certified therapy dog with them.
Brittany ReoNason, Youth and Family Services coordinator, shared: “Our PAWS for Reading Program uses a certified therapy dog as a way to build confidence and literary skills among children.
“Children get an opportunity to sit with the dog for 20 minutes in a 1:1 setting, and we ask the caregivers not go into the room for the session.
“However, if they do choose to go into the room, we ask that there are no corrections or interruptions during the child’s reading time.
“It’s a program to encourage children to read and sometimes with a caregiver present, they become anxious and the program becomes counterproductive.”
The program runs three times a month, per the availability of the dog’s handler. It is available to all children; however, library staff ask if there are any special needs of the child that it is disclosed on the registration form.
This is important because the dog can sense certain ailments, and will alert the handler if an episode is going to occur, ReoNason explained.
PAWS for Reading takes place in the Penn Room at the library. If you are interested in registering, you can call the library at 814-765-3271 or e-mail breonason@shawlibrary.org.
The program is available on a first come, first serve basis, but library staff do their best to get everyone scheduled on a date that works for them.