Free Library Focus: PAWS Program Brings Kids and Pups Together to Improve Reading Skills
Miracle listened intently as Madeline Mickelberg read to him at the Fishtown Community Library.
But Miracle is not the typical audience that most second graders read to — Miracle is a therapy dog who was at the library because of a program that the library organized by partnering with PAWS for People.
The organization’s full name is Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer services, Inc. and it serves a wide range of people in all age groups, many with health and learning disabilities. In this case, PAWS was partnering with the Fishtown Community Library to provide a supportive therapy dog such as Miracle for children to read to.
Madeline Mickelberg reads to Miracle, a therapy dog that was trained by PAWS volunteer, David Kim.
PAWS volunteer David Kim (left), strokes Miracle’s cheek (middle) while Madeline Mickelberg (right) reads to Miracle.
Children’s librarian, Dana Giusti, was inspired to organize this program from a library she worked at in New Jersey that has similar events. Mickelberg read Geronimo Stilton to Miracle, one of her favorite book series.
“I like to read Geronimo Stilton, Ivy and Bean and Baby Sitters’ Club graphic novels,” Mickelberg said. “I like reading to Miracle.”
Mickelberg said she likes dogs, but has none of her own. At the end of the reading session, Mickelberg drew a picture for Miracle in Miracle’s journal that he carries around with him. Her father, Keith Mickelberg, said he is supportive of the reading program.
“Absolutely. I think it’s great and exposes them (children) to an animal,” Keith Mickelberg said.
Madeline Mickelberg pets Miracle while she reads to him.
One benefit of reading out loud to dogs is that they are a nonjudgmental audience, Giusti said. Therapy dogs also benefit by practicing their skills by being supportive. By reading to dogs, children such as Mickelberg can improve their confidence in reading out loud without the pressure of saying a word wrong in the classroom.
The program includes two recurring story times, one for younger children and one for older children Giusti said the Fishtown Community Library is the first in the city to partner with PAWS on such a program. Having started in January of this year, the library and PAWS have a one-year agreement for the program.
PAWS volunteer David Kim is Miracle’s human and trainer. Kim said he adopted Miracle before he received therapy dog training, and he has seen his dog improve immensely since becoming certified as a therapy dog.
When Kim adopted Miracle, he signed him up for disobedience classes, and that is when he was recommended to go through therapy training.
Second-grader Madeline Mickelberg (right) drew a picture in Miracle’s journal. Her father, Keith Mickelberg (left) supports the reading program the Fishtown Library and PAWS has created.
“Therapy dogs are different than a service dog,” Kim said. “It’s a trainable dog for different situations. Basically, they’re there to provide comfort.”
Miracle was trained at Zoom Room (180 W Girard Ave.) to become a certified therapy dog, Kim said. For instance, dogs such as Miracle must be trained to be good around children. By reading to Miracle, Mickelberg was participating in reading therapy, Kim said.
“Reading therapy is about reading to associate the act with something very positive,” Kim said. “It’s not about teaching and correcting.”
Kim said therapy dogs were not common when he was a child.
“When I was a kid, I don’t recall seeing therapy dogs,” Kim said. “Therapy training teaches the dog to be comfortable with people and to be good citizens.”
Therapy animals are different than service animals, because they are trained to react to different emotional situations. PAWS for People works with the sick and aged, struggling readers, disabled individuals, hospice patients and to provide a supportive learning environment for children.
In addition to organizing a reading program with PAWS, the Fishtown Community Library holds other activities for the community, including outreach. Starting March 31st, a healthy cooking class will begin and run through April 28th. The class is lead by certified food specialist, Keisha Prosser, who will teach participants how to cook healthy. The schedule includes a lineup of different classes about how to make healthy eating part of one’s lifestyle, what bodies need for sustenance, quick meals and snacks and basic ingredients to have in the house. The library’s calendar also includes Super Storytime on Tuesdays, Dr. Seuss Toddler storytime, Friends of the Library Meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month and StoryUP! Interactive Storytelling.
Miracle hugs his toy tiger at the end of the reading session.
Fishtown Library Branch Manager, Sheila O’Steen, said the library participates in outreach through flyering in schools, social media, neighborhood association meetings and through the website.
Giusti said she reads to children at their schools.
“I go to several local preschools and daycares for reading, because it is hard to bring large groups here,” Giusti said of the size of the Fishtown Branch.
“We’re always interested in bringing new people to the library to enjoy themselves,” Giusti said.
