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Reading with Reese at the Austintown library
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Siblings Kiren and Deven Pal came to the Austintown library for Community Hero Therapy Dogs to read to volunteer dog Reese on June 12.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Children came to the Austintown library on June 12 for Community Hero Therapy Dogs to meet and read to special guest Reese.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.On June 12, the Austintown library hosted Community Hero Therapy Dogs — an event that allowed children to read stories to a volunteer dog, Reese. Pictured is Josie Protain waiting to read her book to Reese.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Volunteer Dana Patrick (far right) and her dog, Reese, came to the Austintown library to hear stories from children reading on June 12.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Cecelia (left) and Emily Williams waited to read a story to Reese, a volunteer dog, on June 12 for the Community Hero Therapy Dogs event.
By amanda tonoli
Community Hero Therapy Dogs was hosted at the Austintown library on June 12. During this event guest Reese, a golden doodle, and his owner, Dana Patrick, sat in the library’s children’s room and listened to stories read by children.
The children that got to read to Reese registered ahead of time for a time slot and got to read their books and see some tricks, as well. Most students chose dog-related books to better relate to their furry volunteer.
Linda Kucalaba helped with the event and said she was ecstatic to see children excited to read.
“It doesn’t get much better than kids reading to dogs,” Kucalaba said.
Those who participated brought in books or checked them out from the library to read to Reese.
Librarian Starr Jones said this special event was about practice without judgment.
“It’s to give kids an environment that’s non judgmental,” Jones said. “They don’t have to worry about anything.”
Jones said dogs are unconditional and this event provided a safe and positive environment to practice reading.
“Dogs are so accepting,” Kucalaba said.
Dana Patrick was not only Reese’s owner, but also a teacher for Austintown Local Schools. Patrick said she enjoyed hearing all the stories from the children who were eager to read to Reese.
The Austintown library is hosting two additional events like this one on July 22 and Aug. 7.