It’s a dreary, overcast day in Brooklyn Park, but inside the city’s library the lights are bright and the patrons are productive, even the ones with four paws. Laying on a fleece blanket in a breakout room is golden retriever Rosie, who is on the job as the library’s most important listener.
Her first client of the day is 7-year-old Talia Breawbaker, who takes a seat next to Rosie and her handler, Kate Mabel, and begins to read from a book she brought. Between pages, Breawbaker shows Rosie photos from the book and gives her a pat on the head.
Rosie is a certified therapy animal through Pet Partners and its local branch North Star Therapy Animals. Her presence in events like the one in Brooklyn Park is meant to put young readers in grades 1-3 at ease as they work on literacy skills and reading out loud.
“Read with an Animal” has become a staple program in the Hennepin County Library System. The program is possible due to a collaboration with North Star Therapy Animals’ PAWS to READ program. The therapy animal team at each Read with an Animal session has specialty training in a children’s reading program that focuses on utilizing registered therapy animals.
Library office specialist Allison Collins said Read with an Animal has remained popular through the years, and is easy to replicate from one library to another.
“It’s so widespread,” Collins said.
When Breawbraker is done with her selection, Mabel asks a few comprehension questions about the book and then gives Breawbaker a bookmark with a photo of Rosie on it. Then, it’s time for Talia’s older brother, 9-year-old Felix Breawbaker, to take a turn. He launches into a book on one of his favorite topics: the video game “Minecraft.” Lounging between Mabel and Breawbaker, Rosie appears to daydream of building homes from pixelated blocks and avoiding creepers, the game’s antagonists.
Mabel said she enjoys connecting with children in the program. Currently, she and Rosie take part in six Read with an Animal programs in Hennepin County, including the one in Brooklyn Park.
Additionally, the duo visit schools, nursing homes and several one-off events through Pet Away Worry and Stress at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
“We keep busy,” Mabel said.
Most of these events have a common goal to help attendees cope with stress and improve their mood.
Mabel and Rosie’s next big gig was at an upcoming child abuse summit.
“The therapy dogs are there for them because the work they do is tough and learning about the work they do is just as tough,” Mabel said.
Therapy animals can include dogs, cats, chickens, horses and more. Some Read with an Animal programs feature visits from atypical therapy animals. Patrons may call ahead of time to learn what animal is booked to appear at a Read with an Animal program.
Read with an Animal is a drop-in program. Slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at hclib.org .
Most Popular
Comments / 0