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East Norwalk
Library
Board of Trustees
51 Van Zant Street, East Norwalk CT 06855
203-838-8408
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Stan Siegel: Cell: 203-249-6293
After Hours: 203-853-0085;
stan@eastnorwalklibrary.org
EAST
NORWALK LIBRARY “D2R2 – DOGS TO READ TO” PROGRAM
TO BE
FEATURED ON WABC-TV’s “GOOD MORNING AMERICA”
AS IT
ENTERS SECOND YEAR OF PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN
EAST NORWALK,
CT – April 5, 2010 – During the past 12 months, more than 45 “D2R2 – Dogs to
Read to” programs were held on Saturday mornings at the East Norwalk Library
where children were given the opportunity to hone their reading skills by
reading to specially trained and managed dogs.
More than 50
children have participated in the program first introduced at the East
Norwalk Library last April. “I was approached by Nancy Pratt, Outreach
Coordinator of Norwalk’s RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), to meet
with Don Smith who, with his 4-year-old whippet, Brasil, who has clocked
more than 1,800 hours at the Stamford Hospital as a “Healing Hounds” therapy
dog,” explained Stan Siegel, Executive Director of the Library.”Through that
program, Don offered the services of Brasil and other certified dogs and
their owners to participate in the local reading improvement program at the
East Norwalk Library. The cadre of other dogs include; Monty, a Maltese;
Lucy a miniature pinscher; Theo, a Labrador retriever mix; and other with
more than 82 “dog hours” being logged in. Brasil accumulated 53 of the
total.
The concept itself is not new. The dogs who listen to the young readers are
accompanied by their trained handlers to help children improve their reading
skills. With the help of the dogs, reading programs of this kind have shown
to be effective in building children’s confidence in their own reading
ability and help them learn to love reading. And, in kids’ own words, “it’s
fun.”
Since the program’s inception last April more than 30 families have had
their children participate. Each child is given the opportunity to pick from
a large selection of books – suitable to their age and reading level – to
take turns reading to the ever-patient dogs. At the end of each session the
reader keeps the book chosen, given a souvenir bookmark with a picture of
the dog they read to and a Certificate of D2R2 Accomplishment.
“I created the name of the East Norwalk Library program – D2R2 / Dogs to
Read to,” adds Siegel, “as a catch phrase to pique the interest and
curiosity of both parents and children. “The catch-phrase and curiosity
seems to have worked since the program continues to bring in new young as
well as repeat readers.”
As a testimony to the program, a 9-year old participant, Kevontae Haye, will
be featured on ABC’s Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. Kevontae is
presently below grade reading level, and will attend weekly one-on-one D2R2
sessions at the East Norwalk Library. ABC will tape several of the sessions
and interview Kevontae, and others involved with his reading achievement
progress which will be aired and his reading grade levels compared.
Maureen Tovish, East Norwalk Library librarian receives “reservations” from
parents and caregivers for each weekly D2R2 session and then arranges for
Smith to enable one, two or more certified dogs and their owners to
participate. “We find as many repeat children as newcomers to the program
which gives everyone an opportunity to read to the dogs and the other
children at the same time,” explains Tovish. “The interaction with other
children while reading to the dogs is an added benefit.”
Additional information regarding the D2R2 program, and the Library itself,
can be found on the East Norwalk Library website –
www.eastnorwalklibrary.org
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PHOTO
CAPTION: Kevontae Haye reads to “Brasil” as part of the East Norwalk
Library’s “D2R2 – Dogs to Read To” program proven to help children improve
their reading skills. Kevontae’s progress will be documented on ABC’s “Good
Morning America” with Diane Sawyer at a later date.
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