SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. — This educational program connects young readers with four-legged friends, encouraging a hybrid of education and fun.
The Scott County Library’s “Books and Best Friends” program is for school-aged kids in the area. Therapy Dog Handler Suzanne Cassity said it’s a fun and relaxed environment where kids can read to some four-legged friends.
“There’s no teaching, there’s no reading out loud to anyone, there’s no correction, it’s just fun and enjoying the dogs,” she said.
Each of the dogs has completed and passed training provided by “Pawsibilites” Unleashed Pet Therapy based in Frankfort. On the first and third Saturdays of the month, they visit the Scott County library to help young children associate fun with reading.
“I love watching the kids. They come in, they’re always so excited,” said librarian Lauren Ekers. “We have people who come in every time we have this program and they always want to read to their favorite dogs or they want to read to all of the dogs here, which can be a bit of a challenge depending on how many people we have that day but it’s great.”
The children that attend “Books and Best Friends” are here not only because they love to read; they’re here because they get the chance to relax and have fun all while reading to and cuddling with a furry friend.
“It just gives you comfort of reading because the dogs are so fun to read to,” one reader named Mason Sheets said.
The “Books and Best Friends” program is also a chance for them to understand the importance therapy dogs have in society.
“Dogs love unconditionally and they’re always there to be a friend. They understand and can feel the emotions of people, both adults and children, and they work to that and they just like being around people and especially kids,” Cassity explained.
Parents describe the “Books & Best Friends” program as priceless for their children because they understand the value and importance the program offers.
“It’s really important to me,” said Francisca Hessings, the parent of one reader. “This one doesn’t know how to read yet but she loves dogs, so it helps her understand more about reading and kind of relate to the words with the dogs.”
“Books and Best Friends” organizers hope that the time these children spend reading to their new friends will offer endless “Pawsibilites.”