Lending a Paw to Learning

Burlingame Public Library staff have a program that promises to improve reading skills in children. The program does not involved tutors or teachers to help these students, however. Rather, it uses dogs.

Paws for Tales, a once monthly event held at the library, depends upon the help of canine companions from the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA to help kids read. This program allows children to practice reading to dogs in a non-judgmental environment using what is called pet assisted therapy.

"Pet assisted therapy utilizes trained and screened animals and handlers to achieve different interactions with patients or students learning to read," said Volunteer Services Manager Brian Probst.

Probst is an eight-year veteran of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, who said the organization has used pet assisted therapy to serve the community in local hospitals, nursing homes, and, in recent years, public libraries.

According to Probst, studies have shown that companion dogs can lower blood pressure and promote feelings of well being, in turn allowing sick people to heal faster and overcome illnesses like depression.

Like these therapeutic gains, benefits from Paws for Tales include improved self confidence, companionship and better reading skills.

"The dog is a fun and furry reading companion who is not judgmental," said Kathy von Mayrhauser, Burlingame Library children services manager. "Children, by reading to dogs, it boosts their confidence in reading."

She has been involved in Paws for Tales since its debut at the library in March of this year.

"[Paws for Tales] has been well received in the community, and a lot of people really love the program," said von Mayrhauser.

Probst attributes this popularity to companionship.

"Many of the kids come back to the same library month after month to read to the same dog," said Probst. "They become friends with that dog."  

According to Probst, Paws for Tales is not only for children.

"We've also had adults who are learning English as a second language who come to read to the dogs," he said.

Adults with a phobia of canines have also taken advantage of the program to overcome their fear in a safe library environment.

"Programs like this, along with our outreach, education and behavior training, are programs that make us distinctly a humane society," said Probst. 

Paws for Tales is funded by private donations to the Peninsula Humane Society, and is primarily staffed by volunteers.

The program is open and free to the public.

Paws for Tales can be found at various San Mateo County Library locations. The next Paws for Tales event at Burlingame Library will be on Sept. 24. Contact the library to reserve a spot, as they fill up fast!