Through time spent reading to therapy dogs, children in the community practiced their reading on February 28, at the Indian Valley Public Library’s Ruff and Read.
The IVPL invites children ages 5 and up to read to therapy dogs as a way for the kids to practice reading in an environment with “no pressure.”
As for Head of Youth Services Angela Buckley, although she is not exactly sure when the Ruff and Read program began, it was in place when she started working there 10 years ago.
“Based on my experience at other libraries,” Buckley said, “programs that involved reading to dogs or other animals have been around for about 15-20 years.”
As “an innovative place,” the IVPL’s goal for this program is to “mainly encourage readers of all ages and abilities to practice their reading in a low-stress environment.”
“Dogs listen and do not judge. There is no pressure to ‘get it right’ the first time. They just listen and provide unconditional support,” Buckley said.
A secondary goal is to allow people safe exposure to dogs, as well.
“As long as they are respectful to the animals and other readers, that is perfectly fine,” Buckley said.
According to Buckley, the impact of this program continues to affect people today.
“I am still in touch with someone who came to this program when I first started here. She is now in high school and still remembers her time with this program,” Buckley said. “These are the kind of lasting memories and experiences we are looking to provide here at the library.”
Harleysville resident Charlie Mohler and his mom, Krystal Mohler, have participated in the Ruff and Read before.
On February 28, Charlie read to Maddie, one of the therapy dogs.
“I like to hang out with a dog. I read ‘Slink Malinki Open The Door’ and ‘Slinky Malinki’, the first one,” Charlie said. “These are my favorite books. I had fun.”
The Mohlers were informed of the reading program and the library through an email.
“We actually got introduced to the library through an email from the Souderton School District,” Mohler said. “We appreciate the opportunity to interact with the dogs and another environment to encourage reading.”
Similarly, Sellersville resident Cecylia Jozwik has “done this so many times before.”
“I like to read to Ryan,” Jozwik said. “He’s a big golden retriever type dog.”
Jozwik’s book genre of choice is “fiction or fantasy books.”
“My favorite book is a book called ‘Elf Dog and Owl Head,’” Jozwik said. “Today, I read a Roald Dahl book where there are six books in one.”
According to Jozwik, besides the dogs, she likes “the tokens we get” after each reading session.
“You can go put [the tokens] in the book vending machine and get a free book from it,” Jozwik said.
As for Sellersville resident Harper Birli, she has done similar reading programs at other libraries, but the Ruff and Read was her first experience at the Indian Valley Public Library.
“I like reading,” Birli said. “This [book] is called ‘Dragon Post’ and ‘Green Eggs and Ham.’”
Birli enjoys reading to Meadow, a black lab. Throughout the year, Birli goes to other events at IVPL.
“In the summer, we do the songs and the reading and the egg hunts. We’re practicing our reading skills,” Birli said.
Telford resident Emily Karabudak said she found out about Ruff and Read while checking out books one day.
“We were checking out books, and then on the wall, I just saw two dogs,” Karabudak said. “I asked them why the dogs are there, and then they gave me a sheet of paper, and then there’s the Ruff and Read on it.”
Karabudak’s favorite books are the Dork Diaries series.
She read one of the Party Diaries books to Maggie, a husky lab mix, during February 28’s Ruff and Read date.
Buckley hopes that people recognize the contributions that volunteers make to help the library run events and programs, such as the Ruff and Read, for the community to enjoy.
“IVPL welcomes volunteers. They are essential to what we do,” Buckley said. “Most of our dogs and volunteers are part of two organizations, Therapy Dog International (TDI) and Comfort Caring Canines.”
Additionally, Buckley welcomes “any volunteers who have certified therapy dogs to participate.”
“Books, dog and children. What’s not to love?” Buckley said. “I really love it when people share stories about how this program helped them become a more confident reader.”