Cochrane and Area Humane Society and the Nan Boothby Memorial Library teamed up to kick-start a new reading program with furry friends.
Paws and Tales will have a preview of what their program entails on Oct. 29 from 5:30-6 p.m. at the library.
“The new program provides a non-judgmental atmosphere for struggling readers – it (will) get them excited about reading and makes it a really fun, enjoyable experience,” said librarian Sara Kundrik.
Children from Grades 1-6 are welcome to come to the kickoff event where organizers from the shelter bring in a furry friend for the kids to read to.
“It’ll be a surprise what it is – it could be a kitten or a puppy, or a rabbit or hamster,” Kundrik exclaimed. “I think it’ll be a great partnership and it should be a ton of fun.”
There was a hint of what animal might be brought in by Jaimie Anton, the society’s fund-development officer.
“We have a batch of some awfully cute kittens right now – so if they don’t get adopted before Thursday there is a possibility one of them could come,” Anton said.
The partnership was made possible through a grant received by the shelter from the Canada Post Community Foundation Grants – enabling the shelter to hire a staff member to supervise and handle the animal during program times.
“I think it’s a really neat program to promote literacy and child reading,” Anton said.
Paws and Tales will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Nov. 10. Parents can sign their kids up with a choice of four different reading slots; 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.
Youth will have approximately 20 minutes to read to the animal and there will be one pet brought in per time slot, with careful screening done beforehand. The program will also be confined to one room to avoid triggering allergies of other guests.
Organizers will be at the library before the Halloween movie night to promote the new program.
“They should be there about half an hour early with a pet, sort of drumming-up excitement, then we will show a movie and a snack – hopefully they bring in a guinea pig,” Kundrik said with a laugh.
For more information on the program contact the Nan Boothby Memorial Library at 403-932-4353.
