Nov. 17, 1999
A unique staff at the Salt Lake Library is helping kids who are afraid to read out loud.
In today's Family Now report, News Specialist Ruth Todd explains how these new mentors make reading easier.
Reading out loud in front of a group can be very frightening for a child, especially if they don't read very well, or if other kids make fun of them.
But a new program is using a unique method to help kids cope with their fears.
Normally, it's difficult for 11-year-old Beatriz Flores to read out loud.
But for a few minutes last Saturday, her shyness melted away.
This new program is designed to help kids like Beatriz, kids who might find it easier to read to a dog.
Beatriz read to Oliver.
Beatriz Flores/Reader: "When I read, I stutter a little bit and when I read to the dog, it didn't make fun of me."
The program is called READ - which stands for Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
The dogs are part of Intermountain Therapy Animals - dogs trained to work with children who are in the hospital, or have a disability.
Sandi Martin - whose dog Olivia paid rapt attention - invented the idea because children with lower reading skills have the same challenges as the other children with which they work.
Sandi Martin/Intermountain Therapy Animals: "Lower self-esteem, being intimidated, performing in front of a peer group."
And her theory is proving true.
Michael Vogeler/Reader: "I think it might be easier to read to a dog because they can't tell comments about you, like, 'Ha, ha, you can't read' or something."
The READ program runs from 1 to 3 p.m., every Saturday until Dec. 4 at Salt Lake Main Library-- 209 E. 500 South.
