A dog is a reader's best friend.
At least that's what Michelle Coxford, the children's librarian at the Ceres Library, is stressing during November.
On Monday evenings this month, the Ceres Library is encouraging youngsters up to the age of 12 to drop by for the "Read to a Dog" program. Maudeen Martin of Modesto brings by Arthur, her trained therapy Pembroke Welsh Corgi, who listens as they read for 15 minutes.
Coxford said the program is great for children "who struggle with reading or don't like reading to gain confidence in reading to an unbiased entity. The dog isn't going to be critical. They're in a really nice atmosphere. It's quiet and they won't be judged."
Response to the program has been a bit slow but Coxford noted that "the kids who have signed up have really liked it."
Martin said the program is great.
""It helps with their literacy skills reading out loud and the dog doesn't correct them," said Martin.
"The kids bond with the dogs right away," noted library volunteer Christine Brereton who helps children pick out books if they need it.
The dog will be at the Ceres Library from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Nov. 21 and 28. Sign-ups are required. For more information call 537-8938.
At least that's what Michelle Coxford, the children's librarian at the Ceres Library, is stressing during November.
On Monday evenings this month, the Ceres Library is encouraging youngsters up to the age of 12 to drop by for the "Read to a Dog" program. Maudeen Martin of Modesto brings by Arthur, her trained therapy Pembroke Welsh Corgi, who listens as they read for 15 minutes.
Coxford said the program is great for children "who struggle with reading or don't like reading to gain confidence in reading to an unbiased entity. The dog isn't going to be critical. They're in a really nice atmosphere. It's quiet and they won't be judged."
Response to the program has been a bit slow but Coxford noted that "the kids who have signed up have really liked it."
Martin said the program is great.
""It helps with their literacy skills reading out loud and the dog doesn't correct them," said Martin.
"The kids bond with the dogs right away," noted library volunteer Christine Brereton who helps children pick out books if they need it.
The dog will be at the Ceres Library from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Nov. 21 and 28. Sign-ups are required. For more information call 537-8938.
