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For a 4-year-old, Andraya listened with a good amount of patience as Mollie Owens, 7, read "Felix" aloud to her at the library Friday.
Since Andraya also is a Jack Russel Terrier, the breed's business was apparent when Mollie paused to turn a page. Andraya had to pace a little before being gently reminded to sit again by owner Gail Jenkins of Warsaw.
Owens was attending the Warsaw Community Public Library's Reading with Canine Dogs program presented by the Lake City Canine Club.
Andraya was there to lend a pair of supportive, if hairy, ears.
The program is for kids who love dogs and dogs who love kids. The children increase their reading aloud skills and the dogs get the attention they crave.
As club member Mercedes Dinkel explained, one of the club's goals is to promote well-behaved dogs and responsible dog ownership.
"Except for the puppies, all the dogs have their Good Citizenship Certificate or have very good manners," Dinkel said. The Good Citizen Certificate is governed by American Kennel Club standards. Next year only good citizen graduates will be part of the program.
Around the library's Meeting Room C, 11 children and eight dogs sprawled companionably. The group included a Labrador retriever, a corgi, two English Springer spaniel pups, a couple of Australian shepherds and mixed breeds.
The canines' owners sat with their animals, tending leashes and assisting the children if they got stuck during their reading.
Margaret Fritzel, WCPL's community services supervisor, said she first heard about children reading to therapy dogs at a Northern Indiana Children's Roundtable where member librarians meet to exchange ideas.
The concept stuck with her, and she called a couple of local veterinarians about "therapy" dogs, meeting a dead end.
Not long afterward, Billy Brinkerhuff, president and training director of the club, brought his children to the library for a book club meeting.
He and Fritzel started talking about canine listeners.
Brinkerhuff discussed the idea with club members, who liked the idea of community service. Fritzel established the program as part of this year's summer reading programs, with the "Once Upon a Time ..." theme.
"It just began happening," Fritzel said of the canine program. "I'm thrilled with the opportunity provided by the club."
The dogs make no comments about the children's reading ability or story selection.
"We've had young children come in who can't read at all and their parents read to them," Dinkel said. "Older kids who read well just want to sit with a dog for an hour."
Dinkel, who shows a Rhodesian Ridgeback and brings the more settled Labrador, "Whiskey," to the reading program, said the Lake City canine club began a year ago. It is organized as a not-for-profit organization.
The club's goal is to promote well-behaved dogs and responsible ownership in Warsaw. Positive reinforcement is promoted to ensure the dog becomes an enjoyable member of the family.
"If they don't behave, they're ignored," Dinkel said of the club's canine members. "Saying 'no' is attention. They're still winning then.
"We show them our expectations; we teach them our expectations and reward them when our expectations are met."
The club doesn't use choke collars or negative corrections. Dog "treats" were in abundance Friday.
"Warsaw isn't a dog-friendly town," Dinkel said referring to the no-dogs-in-the-park policy and lack of public open space.
Membership dues are $35 for the year and members receive a discount for any of the puppy kindergarten, basic command, level one obedience or sports classes offered by the club.
"For hundreds of years, dogs were conditioned to work for and with humans for most of the day. Spending all day tied up in the back yard is damaging to them, mentally," he said.
The summer reading program continues through July and August. Reading with Canine Dogs is Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. through July 23.
Stories in the Park meets on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. under the trees near the park office through Aug. 9.
July 15 Marc Thomas and Max the Moose¨ bring "moosical Fun" to the library at 10 a.m. Free tickets are required.
July 22 is movie day featuring a great Disney film at 10 a.m. Popcorn and snacks may be brought. Drinks must be in closed containers. Free tickets are required.
Creative writing entries are due July 19 at 6 p.m.
Tuesday is crafts day, held in meeting Room C any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All materials are provided. There is no registration. Tuesday make a "Squeakn' Squawkin'" chicken. Octopus Craft is set for July 20.
Adults and children also may register for prizes for every four books, magazines or audio books read through July 26.
For more information, call the library, 267,6011. For information about the Lake City Canine Club, call Brinkerhuff at 267-2214.
On the Net: www.wcpl.lib.in.us
