HOWELL – Once a month, the Howell public library hosts a children’s event to encourage reading: a scheduled visit from therapy dogs.
The dogs, who are there to be read to, sit on the library floor, circled by excited children with books in their hands.
The latest therapy dog reading was held on Sept. 25. The children’s librarian, Mary Mattia, thinks of the event as a way to get children excited about reading.
“Specifically, what we are doing is attracting more of a ruse to get kids to read,” she said. “It’s a way to get them here, with books, and to actually get them reading.”
Two therapy dogs were present at the event, a cairn terrier named Pippin and a Shih Tzu mix named Molly. Both Pippin and Molly are regulars with this event, providing their services on a monthly basis.
“It’s amazing what these dogs can do for kids,” said Cyndy Allan, Pippin’s owner. “They give the children less anxiety and more confidence in their reading.”
Allan and Pippin go to various places outside the monthly event at the library, visiting places like hospitals and nursing homes.
The library event required preregistration, and on the most recent event, there were about seven children registered to attend. The attraction of the event brought in more children, bringing the total to 12 kids.
“Even with more kids, I like to keep it with two dogs,” Mattia said. “Having three or more can get kind of overwhelming. Two is enough to keep them occupied.”
Children’s librarian Mary Mattia and her trusted therapy dogs, Molly and Pippin. (Photo by Liz Ciocher)
Mattia has been the children’s librarian for five years in Howell Township and is a town native. She remembers reading to the therapy dogs as a child herself years ago.
The library provides the participating children with a selection of books to be read to the dogs, ranging from various reading levels. The event was open for children ages five and older.
The dogs were very popular with both the children and their parents. Prior to leaving the library, everyone gave the dogs and their owners personal goodbyes.
“I love Molly and Pippin. I love their energy, I love how patient they are with all the different kids,” Mattia said. “The kids can get really up in their faces, but they are always so good.”
While the date for the next therapy dog reading event is undisclosed, they are usually held at the end of the month. The event is free to attend, and is from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
“The therapy dog readings are pretty popular,” Mattia said. “The library has been doing it for so long because it works!”
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