Read To A Dog At Pierce County Libraries

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA - From Pierce County Libraries: What could be better than reading with a dog? During the next two months, children will have the opportunity to Read to a Dog at Pierce County Libraries.

“Read to a Dog combines learning and enjoyment. Kids get comfortable reading out loud because they are reading to an audience that loves every minute of it,” said Pierce County Library System Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “It doesn’t matter if the kids make mistakes or get stuck. The dogs are happy to listen and this gives the young readers the encouragement they need.”

Reading aloud is a well-known technique for improving reading skills. Thanks to the attentive canine audience provided by the Read to a Dog program kids improve their reading skills. Young readers practice sounding out the words and putting together sentences while reading to a furry friend.

The dogs are trained therapy dogs and are skilled at working safely with children.

Upcoming Read to a Dog events:

• Monday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Monday, Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma
• Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Monday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Monday, Nov. 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma
• Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Monday, Dec. 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Monday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife
• Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E., Fife

Visit www.piercecountylibrary.org for more information.

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 590,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than 1.5 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

Photo courtesy of Pierce County Libraries