Kevontae Haye reads to “Brasil” as part of the East Norwalk Library’s “D2R2 – Dogs to Read To” program proven to help children improve their reading skills. Kevontae’s progress will be documented on ABC’s “Good Morning America” with Diane Sawyer at a later date.
During the past 12 months, more than 45 “D2R2 – Dogs to Read to” programs were held on Saturday mornings at the East Norwalk Library where children were given the opportunity to hone their reading skills by reading to specially trained and managed dogs. More than 50 children have participated in the program first introduced at the East Norwalk Library last April.
“I was approached by Nancy Pratt, Outreach Coordinator of Norwalk’s RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), to meet with Don Smith who, with his 4-year-old whippet, Brasil, who has clocked more than 1,800 hours at the Stamford Hospital as a “Healing Hounds” therapy dog,” explained Stan Siegel, Executive Director of the Library.”Through that program, Don offered the services of Brasil and other certified dogs and their owners to participate in the local reading improvement program at the East Norwalk Library. The cadre of other dogs include; Monty, a Maltese; Lucy a miniature pinscher; Theo, a Labrador retriever mix; and other with more than 82 “dog hours” being logged in. Brasil accumulated 53 of the total.
The concept itself is not new. The dogs who listen to the young readers are accompanied by their trained handlers to help children improve their reading skills. With the help of the dogs, reading programs of this kind have shown to be effective in building children’s confidence in their own reading ability and help them learn to love reading. And, in kids’ own words, “it’s fun.”
Since the program’s inception last April more than 30 families have had their children participate. Each child is given the opportunity to pick from a large selection of books – suitable to their age and reading level – to take turns reading to the ever-patient dogs. At the end of each session the reader keeps the book chosen, given a souvenir bookmark with a picture of the dog they read to and a Certificate of D2R2 Accomplishment.
“I created the name of the East Norwalk Library program – D2R2 / Dogs to Read to,” adds Siegel, “as a catch phrase to pique the interest and curiosity of both parents and children. “The catch-phrase and curiosity seems to have worked since the program continues to bring in new young as well as repeat readers.”
As a testimony to the program, a 9-year old participant, Kevontae Haye, will be featured on ABC’s Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. Kevontae is presently below grade reading level, and will attend weekly one-on-one D2R2 sessions at the East Norwalk Library. ABC will tape several of the sessions and interview Kevontae, and others involved with his reading achievement progress which will be aired and his reading grade levels compared.
Maureen Tovish, East Norwalk Library librarian receives “reservations” from parents and caregivers for each weekly D2R2 session and then arranges for Smith to enable one, two or more certified dogs and their owners to participate. “We find as many repeat children as newcomers to the program which gives everyone an opportunity to read to the dogs and the other children at the same time,” explains Tovish. “The interaction with other children while reading to the dogs is an added benefit.”
Additional information regarding the D2R2 program, and the Library itself, can be found on the East Norwalk Library website – www.eastnorwalklibrary.org
