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New Program Allows Students To Read To Dogs

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Sep 22, 2009 5:51 pm US/Eastern

New Program Allows Students To Read To Dogs

  More Information On "Paws To Read"

Reporting
Ron Matz
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―

If you have a child who needs some encouragement to read, you might want to check out a new program at the Pratt Library downtown. It's a special experience involving man's best friend.

Ron Matz has more on "Paws to Read."

Students from Grace and Saint Peter's School have a date at the Pratt Library with Jillian, Shiloh and Chester.

The Pratt's newest children's program is "Paws to Read."

Students between the ages of 6 through 12 can practice their reading skills. The volunteer listeners, the dogs, are all ears to help their new friends read.

The books, the children and the dogs are a perfect combination.

"Dogs are non-judgmental. They have a lot of patience to sit and just be by your side and encourage you. We found that some children really respond well to the dogs," said Ellen Riordan, Pratt Library children's services coordinator.

All volunteer dogs are certified by Pets on Wheels.

"Pets on Wheels has been around since 1982. A lot of what we do is visit nursing homes and hospitals and assisted livings, but we recently got more into the reading programs and it's a great thing," said Vicki Rummel, Pets on Wheels.

"I think it's going to be really wonderful. We're excited," said Riordan.

"It was very good. I really liked the little dog. He was very cute. He was 3-years-old and he liked children a lot," said Lauren, a first grade reader.

The Pratt's "Paws to Read" program will run once a month. It begins Saturday at the central library.

"One of the things we know about reading is that practice is really important. Practice is linked to the literacy skill fluency, which means that children can read without hesitation and this program really addresses that skill," said Riordan.

You must sign up in advance for "Paws to Read."

Click here for more information.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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