Reading can be a struggle for some. We all know a child, whether our own or someone else’s, who simply doesn’t enjoy picking up a book and reading it. For whatever reason, it doesn’t click. They stumble over words, have difficulty sounding out complex words, are embarrassed to read aloud, and eventually it’s easier to just give up.
It doesn’t have to be that way, however.
In 2001 Gayle Hutchens, RN, was looking for a career change and she found Dr. Bonnie Bergin in California, who invented the concept of therapy dogs for assistance.
Therapy dogs were going into hospitals, nursing homes, schools and libraries to bring joy and comfort to those around them.
She thought about children who struggle to read, and how the therapy dogs might put them at ease and make reading a fun experience.
Hutchens created Paws & Think in 2001, bringing the benefits of therapy dogs to people who need them in Indianapolis and surrounding areas and libraries in Hendricks County.
“When readers are struggling, they don’t want to read; we avoid things when we think we’re not good at it or it’s difficult for us,” said Shannon Gaughan-Kelly, Paws & Think program coordinator of youth services. “When children read with a dog, if they miss a word or don’t know something, the dog doesn’t judge.”
Paws & Think simply invites a young reader (typically around first to third grade) to the library to sit down with an adorable pup who wants to listen to a story.
Brownsburg Public Library has offered the service for a few years now, but Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library and the Avon-Washington Township Public Library have recently partnered with Paws & Think as well.
“At all three libraries, patrons sign up in advance for a 15-minute time slot,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “They come in and sit with the dog and their handler in a private room. The parents typically walk away. We don’t want any hovering or correcting. They can take a picture before or after the session, and then it’s just time with the dog. They have the dog all to themselves and it’s all about them.”
Participants can bring their own book or pick one out at the library. If they already have half of the book memorized, Gaughan-Kelly says ‘that’s OK’. The point is to get them reading.
Studies show petting an animal releases endorphins, and with no judgement from the dog, children are encouraged to read more and have a positive experience both physically and mentally.
“Kids are prone to magical thinking,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “They believe the dog is listening, and the truth is, dogs do like to be talked to. We talk to dogs in shelters and we know it’s good for them. We know there’s value for the dog there too.”
She said there used to be a waitlist for the Paws & Think program in Hendricks County, but with three libraries coming on board and a recent increase in interest for therapy dogs and handlers, the program has been able to expand.
Not only is it a great experience for the kids, but it’s also an inspiring experience for the teams.
“We have a Great Dane, a chihuahua, a couple of pit bulls, lots of doodles, lots of goldens – all different shapes and sizes,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “I did it with my English cocker for several years before she passed away.”
Unfortunately, her two younger English cockers wouldn’t enjoy the program. Some dogs simply aren’t cut out for volunteering in this way.
“I think as a dog owner, you really have to consider their personality,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “You have to be able to read your dog and their body language, and be reflective about what they do or do not like as well.”
She’s quick to point out that if your potential therapy dog is mild mannered but wouldn’t work well with children, there are other avenues to volunteer. Perhaps your dog would be happier visiting adults in the hospital, or the elderly.
“You have to advocate for your dog,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “Watch their body language and make sure they are comfortable too. There are lots of opportunities we can use dogs as therapy for people.”
For the Paws & Think library events, all therapy dogs complete a training program and handlers have the dog on a leash throughout the session. Even if the library has three teams come in, the dogs don’t interact with each other.
Volunteer teams have flexibility and can sign up on the Paws & Think calendar for a convenient time. It’s all about promoting the fun of reading in a positive way, and often inspires the volunteer teams to do more.
In one of Gaughan-Kelly’s volunteer sessions years ago, she watched as a mom became emotional as her son read to a dog. She later found out it was the first time the boy was willing to read out loud to anyone.
Paws & Think is breaking down barriers and making connections.
“Several children in Brownsburg come to read to the same dog each week,” Gaughan-Kelly said. “There are connections being built and that’s what libraries are for – to promote the love of reading.”
While there aren’t any facts showing children learn to read better or faster with the help of a therapy dog, Gaughan-Kelly said much of their results are anecdotal.
“We can track growth in our programs at the school and we know we’re being effective, but at the libraries it’s more about the parents saying attitudes about reading have changed and they’re showing more confidence,” she said. “We’re measuring so much more than test scores.”
