Reading's fun as dogs listen to Sterling Heights kids


July 16, 2006



The dog in the library hears about "The Cat in the Hat" from Max Giroux, 5, of Sterling Heights. Max read to Chelsea, a Shetland sheepdog, during the Sterling Heights Library's July 3 Paws for Reading program. Max says he thinks Chelsea -- a certified therapy dog -- enjoyed the book.

When it comes to human-canine reading sessions, 10-year-old Lauren McConnell is no amateur.

"I tried with my dog, Lucky, but she always fell asleep because my books were too long," said Lauren, a Sterling Heights resident.

On July 3, Lauren gave it another try when she stopped by the Sterling Heights Public Library for its summer Paws for Reading program.

Every Monday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., through Aug. 28, certified therapy dogs and their handlers pop in to listen to youngsters, from kindergarten age and up, read aloud their favorite stories.

Browsing through books is more fun when the experience is pressure-free, said Children's Librarian Tracy Harnish, 37.

"There's no grading involved," said Harnish, a New Baltimore resident. "It's a program that encourages children to become more confident in their reading."

A half-dozen youngsters sign up for the sessions each week.

"Some of the kids are giggling and having fun. Some kids take it seriously," Harnish said. "The littler ones really feel the dog is understanding what they are saying."

At the library, Chelsea, a 5-year-old Shetland sheepdog who looks like Lassie's little sister, wore a shocking-pink ruffle decorated with brightly colored pom-poms, her appearance guaranteed to put a smile on youngsters' faces.

Chelsea's owners, Roseville residents Mike and Keri Marshall, enrolled her in a dog therapy program a year ago.

Mike Marshall remembers when a visit from a tiny creature perked up his spirits.

"When I was 11 years old, I was in the hospital with a blood clot in my brain," said Marshall, 42.

Someone stopped by with a raccoon to cheer the children on the ward.

"It did take my mind off my troubles for a little while," he said.

Kids don't just ask to pet Chelsea. They often throw their arms around her for a big hug, said Keri Marshall, 38.

"She was born for this," she said. "She'll lie there while they read to her. She'll look up and make them feel special."

Youngsters told their tales in a small room off the children's section of the library, with chairs for the humans and a big pillow for canine visitors.

The Giroux family, including Hannah, 7, and Max, 5, of Sterling Heights came to get a little reading confidence boost, said mom Cassandra Giroux, 38.

Max sat on the carpet in front of Chelsea, holding his book upside down so she could see the pictures.

He read with passion from a volume of "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss.

Laith Twal, 10, selected a copy of "Part-Time Dog" by Jane Thayer to share with Chelsea.

She lay at his feet as he read, craning her head back in his direction every so often, as if to encourage him to continue.

"It was fun," said Laith, a Sterling Heights resident who visited the library with his family, including siblings Leena, 8, and Tara, 6, and mom, Sana Twal, 40.

"I like reading a lot and I like dogs a lot," Laith said.

Chelsea was a good listener, said Lauren, who came with siblings Rachael, 9, Craig, 4, Alexis, 2, and mom Kathy McConnell, 40.

"A lot of times when I try to read to my younger brother and sister, they always interrupt," she said.