Everyone likes a good story
Program provides canine audience to help kids gain confidence reading
The Village program provides canine audience to help kids gain confidence reading

By Carrie Coppernoll

Published: August 20, 2008

THE VILLAGE — The Leviston boys love reading, especially to Hercules. The retired service dog listens patiently and quietly. He doesn't criticize or correct.

That's the kind of reading partner that allows brothers Lenard, Jared and Jarod to build confidence in their reading, said their mother, Christina Leviston. That's why they participate in the Reading to Dogs program at The Village Library. Children read books of their choice as service dogs listen.

Confidence is key for new readers, said Kim Terry, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Library System.

"When they're reading to dogs, the dogs aren't going to make fun of them,” Terry said. "They'll sit there with a book and pet the dog and start reading.

"And the kids don't see it as work,” she said.

Seven libraries host Reading to Dogs sessions, Terry said: Bethany, Belle Isle, Choctaw, Edmond, Midwest City, The Village and Warr Acres.

For more information, go to www.metrolibrary.org.

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