I had the pleasure of visiting the Central Library (Downtown Branch) on Monday, July 16, 2012. I was invited by the Children’s Librarian, Erin Hunt, to view the “Paws for Reading Program” that started last month.
This was the second time the Central Library hosted this program. How it works is parents sign up their children to read to dogs and a cat. Paws Patrol participates in this event by bringing therapy pets to the library and the children pick out a book and then pick their pet to read the book to. Pets love people unconditionally and are not critical when it comes to us and our faults. That is why this program is off to a great start. Children love to read when you make it fun and the pets help boost their confidence when reading out loud. It also helps them become strong readers.
I highly recommend this program for any child. For more information contact Erin Hunt at the Central Library at 420-3200 for more information or to sign up your child for the “Paws to Read Program”.

Tami McCoy
Albany