| 6/28/2010 10:06:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Children learn to be 'Ruff Readers'
Jeannie Gregory
Editor
Anita Wyman, 7, sat at the Krause Memorial Library on Tuesday night and read to a new friend. Her reading buddy sat quietly, paying attention to Anita read "Watch Me Throw the Ball." Gertie did not criticize Anita's reading, she just did what dogs do - show devotion to someone giving attention.
Gertie, a basset hound, is a trained dog from West Michigan Therapy Dogs Inc. (WMTD) It was Gertie, and her owner Heidi Bronnema's, first visit to the library. Both are volunteers in the program.
All were participating in the Kent District Libraries Ruff Readers summer program. It is a program meant to help young readers practice the art of reading. According to Sarah Yoder, KDL Youth Librarian, she has been overseeing the program at the Rockford branch for four years.
"I am an animal lover, so it is a lot of fun," Yoder said. "Ruff Readers is a fun way for them to get comfort-level reading. We receive a lot of positive comments from the parents about how much this program helps their children's ability to read."
Anita's mother, Kristi Wyman couldn't agree more. This is the second year Anita has been reading to the dogs.
"We did this last summer, too," Wyman said. "I couldn't get her to read to me, but she would read to the dogs. She was behind in kindergarten in reading, so I would look up the calendar and see where the dogs were going to be. We traveled to Plainfield, Sand Lake and Rockford to follow the dogs. It really made a big difference in her confidence."
The trips to the library were necessary since the Wyman family does not own any dogs - only cats. When asked why she didn't read to her cats, Anita answered simply.
"They don't listen," she said.
After the read, the children receive a certificate and also get to interact with their new friend - giving ear and a few belly rubs. The dogs seem to like this part every bit as much as the reading.
Volunteer Lee Petersen was at the library with her dog Izzy. Izzy, a miniature pinscher, was just a year old when Petersen started her in the program.
"I never thought she would settle down, but she fooled me," Petersen said.
The dogs have to go through a training program and also have the right aptitude for a quiet read.
"It is wonderful for both of us," Petersen said. "It is a great program for all involved. I really enjoy having the children read to us and it is nice to be able to help them."
Ruff Readers is offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout the summer months.
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