Paws for Reading

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristen Rohrer
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  The Mitchell Memorial Library recently started Paws for Reading, a new literacy program that promotes positive reading habits by creating an inviting environment through the use of canines.

PFR came about after Paws for Healing, an organization that currently provides Canine Assisted Therapy to patients at David Grant USAF Medical Center. PFH partnered with the base library to create PFR.

PFR introduces children to books while accompanied by dogs and helps children develop a love for reading at an early age, said Master Sgt. Nadine Hinkle, PFR site mentor at Travis.

Sergeant Hinkle has been a part of PFH at Travis since May 2009 and her dog, Roscoe, was the first PFR dog at the base library.

"Dogs make perfect reading buddies for children because they are non-threatening and don't keep track of mistakes or worry about the way words are pronounced," said Sergeant Hinkle. "They help promote trust and encourage children to take risks in learning to read."

Each handler attends a two-day seminar that includes an introduction to PFR, said Meir Horvitz, treasurer and a member of the PFR committee.

There are five different volunteer teams that take part in the PFR program at the library. After evaluations and classes are completed, these teams are mentored for additional training in order to prepare them to work with children at different educational levels.

"We are looking at expanding the program to different days and times and also plan to have more volunteer teams and a [larger] variety of canines as well," said Sergeant Hinkle. "There are dogs ranging in size from chihuahuas to great danes, so there is a breed for everyone."

The PFR program also offers a frequent reader bonus program that serves as an additional incentive for children to keep reading. Children receive a small prize each time they complete a PFR session and after they complete nine sessions, they receive a free book mailed to their home courtesy of Paws for Healing.

The PFR program is held every Thursday at the Mitchell Memorial Library at two different times. The first session is held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the second is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information about the program, contact Delilah Wilson at 424-4698 or visit the Paws for Healing Web site at www.pawsforhealing.org.