The first child chosen to read with Dreamy today was a little whirlwind. She did not bring a book, so I asked her to choose one of mine. She went through a few, then picked one, but refused to read it. She only wanted to look at the pictures. She finished flipping through that one, then proceeded to do the same with another book. In the meantime, Dreamy was trying her best to “be” with this child. She prefers to be touching children during the READ sessions. She may lean on them, lay next to them, or even have just one paw making contact. But if she touched this child, the little girl would say “no!” and push her away. This didn’t seem to bother Dreamy in the least; she remained very relaxed and just seemed to give up on trying to make contact. She simply made herself comfortable between us.

I admit I was feeling a little overwhelmed, though. How was I to manage this child and make sure that she had a positive experience? She didn’t seem to have any interest in reading a book, or in dogs. I tried to prompt her along by telling her that we needed to read at least one book so she could get her card punched, and that Dreamy liked hearing the whole book.

Finally she picked out a book. She skipped over a page or two, but when I told her that Dreamy really wanted to know the story, she settled down and started reading. She read quickly but well. She actually finished the entire book!  And by the end, she was no longer combative, but seemed much more relaxed. It dawned on me later that I had experienced that special magic of a therapy dog, that sometimes just their mere presence can make all the difference. 

Jan McAfee & Dreamy 
CAREing Paws R.E.A.D. Team - Tyrone Library 

This is the first in a collection of tales (or tails!) from the Tyrone Library submitted by Ginny Anderson, Latte's Mom.  Ginny and Latte volunteer at the Tyrone Library every 1st and 3rd Wednesday after school.  Ginny often shares her experiences after a visit and today was particularly encouraging.  Reprinted from Ginny...  

Thought you might want to be encouraged....I was.

Walked into the Library with Latte....and there a man with a gal that looked about 14.(..and he seemed like he could be her grandfather.)...said, how she had been a reader at the Tyrone Library CAREing Paws and how she loved it...she was nodding....and then he began to thank me...He was very kind and real.  I told him how much we all appreciated his comments...They were checking out books at the desk.   That would have been teams that were there earlier than me...that he was talking about.

A Mom brought in her daughter and son (She is from Bulgaria) and said how her children start reminding her several days in advance that they have a reading appointment with the dogs.  She said how much it meant to all of them and that they are so happy to come and don't want to miss it.  

We are booked into March...March has appointments but there are a few scheduled already

I was asked by three sets of parents, for their child to be put on a waiting list for cancellations so they don't have to wait till March.

Cindy suggested we put a HELP WANTED sign for a volunteer manager on the window.  One of the Mother's offered but she could only come for the last appointment.  She and her son are a regular and just appreciate the program.  I thought it was wonderful that she offered.  She wanted to give back.

And finally, Latte and I did the managerial work yesterday as Jesse and Karin...Sue and Josie were there.  We definitely need a manager...Latte worked the "crowd".....and child that came in which we were not without any....She attracts mothers and children....and we seem to get a lot on interest about the program.   One child (the last two times) has been tutored by a special teacher....he loves the dogs (especially Latte) and he read to Latte for about 10 minutes in Sept.  and then read to Jesse for about 10 minutes yesterday.  This was after the regular appointments.  His mother was very thankful as he seems to need help in reading.

Another Tyrone library saga....

Over the summer, adults who are members of the Grace Evangelical Church were asked to share their "it" with the children.  Many of them spoke about their jobs, their hobbies, their thing that they do.  And the children were thrilled to be learning so much about so many varied and interesting topics that they didn't even realize they were learning!  One member was at a loss as to what to talk about.  She didn't have an "it".  She was retired, her children were grown and gone and she felt like she didn't have anything to share with the children of the church.   

Suddenly it came to her - HER DOGS!  She could talk about her dogs!  And all the many adventures that they've shared together, the lives they've touched and the hearts they've healed.  Her dogs are champions and her garage is filled with their trophies and ribbons.  But perhaps their greatest accomplishments together are the children.  You see, she and her dogs have helped the scared and uncertain child to gain confidence, the overactive child to settle and the hesitant child to become more self-assured.  She's helped them learn to love reading and as a result they've grown in fluency and comprehension.  She's even helped them overcome their fear of dogs and she's overlooked their disabilities.  She does all of this solely for the pure love of it and joy it brings to her, her dogs, and the children and their families.  She found and shared her "it" - What's yours?   

Photos are courtesy of Marlene Koslowsky