Dogs Lend a Paw (And an Ear) at Edmonds Library

On a recent wet and rainy Saturday morning, the was a bustling hub of activity.

Patrons quietly browsed the stacks of books, teenagers whispered to one another while surfing the Internet, and, at the north end of library, amidst the brightly colored chairs and tables of the children’s section, a group of five very well-behaved dogs sat scattered on the floor listening as youngsters read them stories. The dogs provided their undivided attention, the children were reading enthusiastically, and everyone appeared to be having a great time.

The well-behaved canines (and their owners) are part of an organization called Reading With Rover, a volunteer-based program focused on improving literacy and reading skills in children, especially those with reading difficulties.

The owner-dog teams gather at the Edmonds Library at least two Saturdays a month, and anyone is welcome to come over to the children’s section and read to one of the dogs. When a child shows up for the first time, a stamp card is created. Each subsequent visit earns another paw print stamp. After five stamps the child receives a book bag. The program has been at the library for more than three years now, and more so than any kind of reward, the dogs are what draw the crowds.

“What we have found is that it really helps kids who are struggling with their reading skills, or are beginning readers,” said children’s librarian Edith Farrar. “I’ve seen it over and over again—a child who is not interested at first, or reluctant, and by the end of the session they don’t want to go, or they keep asking about coming back again.”

Reading With Rover was started in Bothell by a librarian who had read of a similar program in Utah. That program was founded on the idea that reading should be fun for children, and that dogs don’t judge when reading skills aren’t at their highest. A beginning or struggling reader could choose a book, sit down with a friendly dog and read without being embarrassed or scared. The dogs are registered therapy dogs, and with their owners go through extensive training to become a Reading With Rover team.

One volunteer, Tina Fukumoto, and her 5-year-old Husky-Yellow Lab mix, Amber, have been coming to the Edmonds Library as part of Reading With Rover for more than two years. Amber was a rescue dog, and Fukumoto credits her with getting them involved in the program.

“We adopted her as a rescue dog,” Fukumoto explained. “We had her for five months, and some friends came over and they had a little girl who was scared of dogs. Amber was down on the floor and scooted her way over to the little girl very slowly until she had her nose under the girl’s hand. After that I knew she should work with children.”

Another volunteer, Gloria Price, got involved in the program after meeting Fukumoto at a pool party and discussing the organization. Price and her dog, 8-year-old Annie, have been involved in Reading With Rover for four years, and they also volunteer at hospice care centers.

“It is so rewarding,” Price said of volunteering with Amber. “I just love seeing the enthusiasm of the children wanting to read and improving their skills.”

Reading With Rover teams are at the Edmonds Library at least two times a month between 11 a.m. and noon. The next session is Saturday, April 16. For information on how to get involved or to become a Reading With Rover team, visit www.readingwithrover.org.