Can Canines Teach Marion Children Read Better?

What can help a child struggling to gain the confidence to read?

If your answer was a parent, a teacher or any other human, you'd be wrong.

On January 19, the will be hosting their reading assistance program where parents can bring in their children who will read stories to dogs.

But why dogs?

Jo Pearson, assistant director of the Marion Public Library, put it simply.

"The dogs don't laugh at the kids when they make mistakes or stumble over words," she said. "But will lie next to them while they read them stories."

And not any pit bull or Shih Tzu pulled off the street qualifies to read to local children. Only certified, trained dogs can be used in the reading assistance program.

Pearson said this means the dogs are trained to be attentive, gentile and very patient.

This isn't a new, untested idea either. In fact, Einfield (CT) Patch recently about "International Assistance Dogs Week."

Also, be sure to check out about a mom who turns to dogs to help struggling readers.

The Marion program will be similar to one already in place at the Cedar Rapids Public Library in the Westdale Mall. Gauging from the reaction of library patrons there, Marion's program seems to be destined for success.

"I think the reaction has been very positive," said Carol Hoke, the children's services manager at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. "They seem to be pretty excited about reading to the dogs."