Details make the Difference!
LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN 3-D
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20 SPRING 2018 | WWW.SHAKER.LIFE
A DESIGN, BUILD
CUSTOM PATIOS
& RETAINING WALLS
OUTDOOR KITCHENS
& FIREPLACES
CREATIVE PLANTINGS
YARD AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE
& MAINTENANCE CO.
@ Shaker Library
The Dog Listeners
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Dog Whisperer, but do you know
that the Library has Dog Listeners? Certified therapy dogs – King,
Max, Tucker, Domino, Wiggins, Levi, and Sochi – and their dedicated
handlers visit the Library once a month to encourage the love
of reading.
“Reading to the dogs was transformative for our daughter,” said
Heather Schloss. “Initially, we came to overcome her apprehension
about dogs. Then I realized that the dog’s interest in her stories was
eliciting truly expressive reading from Stephanie. The first dog to whom
our daughter read was King. Loving, patient King would choose which
book he preferred to hear by placing his paw on it. Convinced that King
was eager to hear the story, our daughter read to and with him.”
Libraries and schools across the country have discovered the
benefits of reading to a dog. Simply petting a dog can reduce a person’s
blood pressure and heart rate, and experience shows that children learn
best when they are relaxed and feel safe. The calming presence of a dog
helps young readers gain confidence and get excited about reading.
Enthusiasm leads to practice which leads to fluency.
There is novelty in reading to a dog rather than a person, and a dog
does not criticize or correct. When a child bursts out of the program
room after reading to a dog shouting, “That was awesome!” it is clear
that the child is excited about reading, and that the dog deserves a wellearned
treat.
Read to a Dog from 4-5:30 pm Thursdays, March 15, April 19, May
17, June 21, July 19. Register for a 15-minute slot online, in person, or
by phone beginning two weeks before each program.
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