Paws for awesome

Our library scheduled a PAWS reading program today and also had a photographer call to ask to take pictures of the children reading to the therapy dog. The photographer is in the process of completing a book on Tulsa that will feature all the things our city offers that enhance our quality of life. We had a slow start but eventually had approximately 18 children participate in this event. I felt validated that this photographer is choosing to feature our library as a place that enhances our quality of life and is something I immediately recognized when I moved to Tulsa almost 4 years ago.
Busy Book Bee, children's librarian

Reading is, I have been surprised to discover in the last few years, something that the human brain isn't designed to do well.

In fact, it's really, really hard for our pitifully primordial noggins to translate those squiggles on a page into meaning.

Those of us who become good readers forget how hard it was for us, because it's not hard anymore. (Success has a way of erasing past pain that way.) And for those who still struggle to read well -- especially children who must face the daily humiliation of not reading well -- it's doubly hard, because they think it must mean they are stupid, when for many, it's just that their brains haven't adapted to this ridiculously difficult skill as well as other brains have, or just haven't had enough practice.

Concentrated practice in a supportive environment is one of the best ways to improve reading.

That's one of the reasons the PAWS for Reading program is so successful. Children don't have the extra pressure of reading aloud to an adult or in front of a classroom -- they can read to a sympathetic audience, one who is calm and patient and never tells you to sound it out. The bonus is the dogs are also, you know, dogs: friendly, with soft fur to touch and pet, and they are always thrilled to see you walk into the room, even if you only just walked out of the room.

What I especially like about Busy Book Bee's story, however, is that it's not just about this program, which is great enough on its own, but that there are people who recognize that it's something that "enhances our quality of life" in our community.

A simple thing, children reading to therapy dogs, but not small, for either the children, or our community.