Sugar Grove Library’s therapy dog program encourages kids to read aloud

SUGAR GROVE – Therapy dogs and their owners from the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club visited the Sugar Grove Public Library on June 11 to participate in the Read to Rover program for kids of all ages.

The program has become such a success that the library has been reserving a spot on their calendar each month for the event.

“We started the Read to Rover program last year, and it went over so well [that] we decided to do it each month,” said Amy Beem, Sugar Grove Public Library youth coordinator. “We usually have around 15 to 20 kids each time. It’s great for the reluctant readers or kids who are shy about reading.”

Beem said the younger kids simply enjoy the experience while the older kids will read a chapter book to the dogs.

“This program helps with literacy skills,” Beem said. “It’s a relaxed way to read. The dogs aren’t going to criticize.”

About 10 kids attended the Read to Rover program on June 11. Grandparents and parents brought their children and grandchildren to the event. Jan Schleder of Sugar Grove brought her young grandchildren, Jack and Joah, to visit the therapy dogs.

“My daughter suggested we come here for the day to have the kids interact with the dogs,” Schleder said. “They don’t have a pet at the moment, and we thought it would be nice to have them experience being around trained dogs. They enjoy being around the dogs.”

Jesse Santos of Sugar Grove brought his daughter to the program to help her practice her reading skills.

“We just moved to Sugar Grove in December,” Santos said. “This is the second time we’ve been to this program. My daughter is at a level two reading level, and we are trying to get her to a level three. She’s just starting to read, and this is a calm way to read. She loves it.”

Therapy dogs have several tags on their collars to help identify them as such. All the dogs from the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club were either rescued or pets before being trained, said Barb McCune, a therapy dog owner.

“[People get] excited to see their dog as a therapy dog, and they go through the training,” McCune said. “The first class is the Canine Good Citizen Class.”

McCune said her golden retriever, James, completed the class as a puppy.

The dog owners from the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club volunteer their time when they bring their dog to a social setting for the benefit of kids and adults to develop familiarity with safe and trained dogs. Another therapy dog owner, Diane Dillow participates in the Sugar Grove Library’s Read to Rover program with her 11-year-old half Labrador and half golden retriever mix named Pico.

“All of the therapy dogs undergo training two to three times a year to be tested [as] therapy dogs after they have completed the Canine Good Citizen Class,” Dillow said. “Part of the training [involves] the dogs sitting quietly while they hear loud banging noises, or while walkers or wheelchairs are near them.”

Therapy dogs can go anywhere, much like a guide dog, Dillow said, adding that the Fox Valley Therapy Dog visits libraries, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and more.

If you go:

Read to Rover

When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 9

Where: Youth Lounge, Sugar Grove Public Library, 125 Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove

Cost/Info: This event is free. Registration is not required. Children should be in grades first through sixth, or able to read on their own. Email aimee@sugargrove.lib.il.us for more information.