Aimee graduated from Spencer High School in 1994, and then moved to a large city on the west coast. She returned to Spencer in 2007. Aimee spent more than a decade in veterinary medicine and dog training, and now works in a public library. She lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a cat.

Read to a Dog!

Posted Friday, December 17, 2010, at 2:38 PM

Grant loves to listen to stories!

The Milford Library is recruiting children to read stories to Grant the Library Dog! Grant is a trained, registered Therapy Dog that is at the Milford Library on Mondays and Fridays, and every third Saturday. Reading to Grant is a fun way to practice reading, and is particularly beneficial to struggling readers. However, children of all reading levels are welcome to read to Grant.

Reading to dogs offers children who struggle with their skills the opportunity to read to a non-judgmental listener. Struggling readers are often embarrassed to read in front of their peers, though a dog will never criticize or laugh at them if they stumble or make a mistake. Research on Animal Assisted Therapy and Activities also shows that the presence of an animal encourages relaxation, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Animals make people less self-conscious, and cause them to focus less on limitations and pain. Children that formerly did not enjoy reading often begin to look forward to sessions with a furry friend. As they start associating time spent with the dog with reading, they begin to view reading in a positive light. In time, the child's reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills in a comfortable environment, which will make them enjoy reading even more.

The Tales with Tails program is FREE to the public. Grant's readers sign up for weekly 1/2 hour time slots for six consecutive weeks. Readers can sign up again for another six weeks if there is an opening. If you are interested in enrolling a reader, or more information on the library's Tales with Tails program, contact the library's Special Project Coordinator Aimee Clark (yours truly) at aimeec@milfordlibrary.net or 712-338-4643.

For more information on Grant and the Tales with Tails program, visit Grant's page on the Milford Library's website at the following link: Grant the Library Dog.