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Kids get to read to 4-footed audience
Photo
Bill Leskanic, left, of Boardman and his dog, Periwinkle, listen as Carli Hamilton, 7, and Cole Hamilton, 5, both of Boardman read to Periwinkle. They were taking part in Monday’s Tales for Tails gathering at the Canfi eld branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
By Sean Barron
CANFIELD
For nearly an hour, 4-year-old Bella sat quietly while a few children read to her.
It didn’t matter to the youngsters that Bella, the main member of their audience, was a large, black Labrador retriever.
“Bella likes to be at the library because she likes the little people,” said Charlene Gilson of Hermitage, Pa., Bella’s companion.
The laid-back dog was one of several animals that took part in Monday’s Tales for Tails gathering at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
The program allows schoolchildren of all reading levels and abilities to read to registered Delta Society therapy dogs provided by the Hubbard-based nonprofit organization K-9s for Compassion. Tales for Tails aims to help youngsters develop improved reading skills, promote self-confidence and encourage a love of reading, its mission statement says.
Carli Hamilton, 7, of Boardman read “It’s My Turn” by David Bedford and Elaine Field to Shadow, a 5-year-old Shetland sheep dog.
The book is about two animals who at first struggle to take turns on a playground but learn the value of cooperation.
“They won’t share with friends, but at the end, they play on a seesaw together,” Carli said in describing the book.
Carli came with her grandmother, Linda Shurtleff of Canfield, who also brought grandchildren Cole Hamilton, 5, and A.J. Hamilton, 7.
Cara Spencer, 6, a C.H. Campbell Elementary School first-grader, also enjoyed reading to Shadow. Her book choice was “Ruby’s Cupcakes” by Rosemary Wells.
The effort has helped Cara’s reading comprehension, noted her mother, Laura Spencer.
For Cara, the book also fulfilled part of a bigger mission: to read 100 books by March 11 as part of her school’s Read-a-Thon event. So far, 70 books are under Cara‘s belt, she said proudly.
Shadow, who belongs to Nancy Wloch of Boardman and has been in the program three years, was quite a hit with several youngsters. In addition, the dog visits area nursing homes, Wloch said, noting that the estimated 40 dogs and one cat in the program must be re- evaluated every two years.
Before entering K-9s, dogs undergo a battery of tests such as learning basic commands, noted Bill Leskanic of Boardman, whose 7-year-old miniature wire-haired dachshund Periwinkle is in the program. In addition, the animals are evaluated on how they react to noise, sudden movements and other distractions, as well as to a “neutral” dog, he explained.
From there, the dogs are primed to visit libraries, schools, nursing homes and hospitals, he continued.
For Leskanic, though, the program taps into his desire to improve others’ lives and give back to the community, he explained.
“I enjoy being out with the dog, and I enjoy interacting with people of all ages,” Leskanic said. “[Periwinkle] brings a lot of joy to a lot of people.”