Children spotted reading books to dogs in Nicoma Park

By Darla Slipke | Published: January 19, 2010 | Modified: January 19, 2010 at 8:33 am

NICOMA PARK — Paige Fowler paused on the second page of the book she was reading out loud when her listener, D'Leo, started to groan.

Paige, 6, looked up from her small purple chair in the corner of the Nicoma Park Library and giggled. Then D'Leo, a white and brown Dalmatian, barked. His handler, Jane Neely, hushed him.

Paige Fowler, 6, reads to D’Leo, a Dalmatian therapy dog, at the Nicoma Park Library. D’Leo visits the library Thursday as part of the Children Reading to Dogs program. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
Paige Fowler, 6, reads to D’Leo, a Dalmatian therapy dog, at the Nicoma Park Library. D’Leo visits the library Thursday as part of the Children Reading to Dogs program. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

“Dalmatians are clowns, don't you know,” Neely said, her gold Dalmatian earrings shaking as she laughed, too.

Each month trained therapy dogs visit libraries throughout the Metropolitan Library System for a program called Children Reading to Dogs. The activity is designed to foster a love of reading and improve literacy skills and self-confidence.

Neely has been coming to the Nicoma Park Library about twice a month with D'Leo ever since he became certified with Therapy Dogs International in 2008.

“I enjoy children and sharing my dog,” Neely said.

Library Extension Specialist Lois Cross said children love reading to D'Leo.

“It improves their reading skills tremendously,” Cross said. “He just makes them feel comfortable.”

Reading out loud was a little scary for Mckenzie Savage, 10, but she said D'Leo comforted her.

“He sat by me,” Mckenzie said.

When Paige's giggles subsided from D'Leo's antics, she continued reading.

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