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Children read tales to tails
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Hilltop Elementary's Kamryn Long (left) read to Cheryl Soyka's pet, Emily, while at the Canfield library Monday. Soyka is a licensed instructor for the Delta Society Pet Partner's Program.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Members of K-9's For Compassion visited the Canfield library Monday with their dogs who listened to children read. The group meets at the library every third Monday of the month.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Canfield Village Middle School's Callie Roth read, "Duck for President" to one K-9's For Compassion's participants, Perrwinkle. The organization encompasses more than 5o members and 40 dogs.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
K-9’s For Compassion, a Delta Society Pet Partners Program, brought their pets to the library so they could listen to books being read by young children for the Tales for Tails reading program. The Delta Society it a nonprofit organization that promotes animal assisted therapy.
K-9’s For Compassion member, and licensed instructor, Cheryl Soyka said the program helps with kids who may be shy or nervous about reading in front of parents, teachers or friends. The organization wants to provide a fun and safe environment where children can feel comfortable improving their reading skills. This goal is accomplished with the help of canines who love a good book.
“The kids get a little bit more relaxed around the dogs,” Soyka said. “It’s tough to read in front of a crowd, but easy to read in front of the dogs.”
More than 50 members and 40 dogs participate in K-9’s For Compassion. All dog handlers and their pets go through extensive training before they are accepted into the Pet Partners Program.
The organization not only visits libraries, but makes appearances at nursing homes, hospitals, community nonprofit organizations, retirement homes and schools throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Tales for Tails is held every third Monday at the Canfield library from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. It is open to kids of all ages and they can bring their own book or choose one from the library collection to read to the dogs.
The next paws storytime will be Oct. 18.
During the storytime, children chose a book and a dog they want to read to. The K-9 For Compassion dog handlers sit in the background as their pets listen.
Kamryn Long attended the library event Monday with her twin sister, Reygan. Long read books to two dogs making sure each book was different. Her and her sister attend the reading program regularly and enjoy talking to the dogs.
“They’re good listeners,” Long said.