Reading FIDO a story

Edmond Library program helps build children's confidence

Patty Miller
The Edmond Sun
 

EDMOND — Even dogs love to be read a good book.

That is what children involved in an Edmond Library summer program are learning.

The program, called FIDO (Finding Individual Development Out-loud), invites specially trained therapy dogs to bring their owners to the library to be read to.

It is rumored the dogs especially like to hear stories about fellow canines. The books are available in the library, but children also may bring one of their favorite books from home.

No practice reading is necessary ahead of time, although some children like to practice at home before reading to their canine audience.

Wednesday, a 7-year-old yellow lab named Dollie and her handler, Rudy Valenta from Piedmont, listened to stories about dogs as well as one about King Kong.

“Dollie has been active in programs involving children for the last six years, but this is the first time she has participated in a program at the library,” Valenta said.

Sue Shelton brought her 9-year-old granddaughter, Hannah Day, visiting from Chandler, to read to 6-year-old Sunshine, a Shetland sheepdog.

Sunshine’s handler, Susan Peters from Edmond, said Sunshine also goes to the Children’s Hospital to visit children and has been a therapy dog for five years.

Sunshine’s sister, Sierra, came last week.

Joicey Colvin, a fourth-grader at Will Rogers this fall, read “Clifford and the Kitten” to Sunshine. “I have a dog of my own and when we read books at bedtime she listens and cuddles,” Colvin said.

Jordan Exline, a first-grade student at Northern Hills this fall, was back for the second week. She read “The Sloths Get a Pet.” She said she just likes animals and plans on coming back next week.

In schools that have tried programs similar to this, they have found the children participating had unusually high advances in learning from the beginning of school to the end.

Although similar programs are used on the East and West coasts, Librarian Karen Lehr said she doesn’t believe there is any program like this in Oklahoma.

“We believe we are the first library in the state to try this,” Lehr said, “although people with dogs have been going to the Piedmont school system and doing something similar to this.”

Edmond Library’s program was suggested by Lisa Rogers, a library customer from Edmond.

The program is especially valuable in building self-confidence and self-esteem for those needing an uncritical, appreciative listening audience to improve reading skills.

Lehr would like to join with an elementary school class in the fall and start a pilot program using dogs to listen to the children read this coming year.

“We want to reach children this summer who are uncomfortable using the library or reading as well as those who like to read,” Lehr said.

Trained therapy dogs still are needed for the program.

“I am thinking I would like to get a dog and to train it to be a therapy dog after participating in this program,” Lehr said.

(Patty Miller may be reached via e-mail at pmiller@edmondsun.com.)