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Canines serve as readers’ best friend
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K-9’s for Compassion’s Kaya listened intently as Kamryn Long, of Canfield, read to her and her owner, Linda Habuda, during Canfield library’s Tales to Tails program Jan. 24.
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Reygan Long, of Canfield, read to K-9’s for Compassion’s Periwinkle during the Canfield library’s Tales to Tails program Jan. 24, as Periwinkle’s owner, Bill Leskanic, looked on.
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Shadow, a 4-year-old Sheltie owned by Nancy Wloch, participated in the Canfield library’s Tales to Tails program Jan. 24. Shadow is a registered therapy dog with K-9’s for Compassion and has been involved with the program for about a year.
By ABBY SLANKER
With the help of their owners, Reno, Kaya, Periwinkle and Shadow took over the Canfield library Jan. 24 for the Tales to Tails program.
Reno, a 5-year-old black lab owned by Roxanne Johnson; Kaya, a 3-year-old Belgian-shepherd mix owned by Linda Habuda; Periwinkle, a 6-year-old miniature wire hair Dachshund owned by Bill Leskanic and Shadow, a 4-year-old Sheltie owned by Nancy Wloch, are registered therapy dogs with K-9’s for Compassion, sponsored by Humility of Mary Health Partners.
Canfield library’s Tales to Tails program helps children develop reading skills, promotes confidence and encourages a love of reading by reading to the K-9’s for Compassion therapy dogs. The program is open to any school-aged child. Readers of all levels and abilities are welcome and participants may bring a book of their choice.
According to their owners, each dog has been involved in the program for more than a year, with Reno participating for three years, Kaya for two years, Periwinkle for three years and Shadow for about a year. The dogs and their owners visit schools, nursing homes and libraries.
“Periwinkle likes coming to the Canfield library. When I tell him it’s time to go to work, he gets all excited,” said Leskanic.
Not just any dog can be a K-9’s for Compassion therapy dog. All dogs must be meet certain criteria to qualify as a therapy dog. The dogs are evaluated by local members of K-9’s for Compassion who are undergo specialized training. Delta Society, the umbrella organization which K-9’s for Compassion falls under, is responsible for training the members to be able to evaluate the dogs and be certain the dogs qualify.
The Tales to Tails program is offered the fourth Monday of each month at the library, except summer months, at 6:30 p.m. Any child interested in participating may register by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Canfield library. Walk-ins are also welcome.
“The dogs are just wonderful. We encourage all children to participate in this program,” said Jane Adams, Canfield library children’s librarian.