This program is a collaborative event between the city animal shelter, local service animal non-profit, and the library in order to celebrate Dog Appreciation Month. This dog themed program will allow children the opportunity to meet and read to therapy dogs. The purpose of this program is to encourage and build children's confidence in literacy by reading to a nonjudgemental furry friend. The program itself will consist of a regular dog themed storytime involving movement, songs, and a stories. This portion of the program will take place outside the storytheater in the general children's area. Once the storytime portion is done families will have the three different station options to visit in the library. The first station will be tables outside the storytheater which  have been reserved for families to create dog themed crafts and color dog themed coloring sheets. Inside the storytheater will be the therapy dog and volunteers from the local Love on a Leash chapter. Families will sign up for a time to meet join the session and have an opportunity to visit other stations as they wait. Children will have 15 minutes to read short age appropriate book to the therapy dog alongside their caregiver. After reading the family will have the rest of the time to pet and take a picture with the therapy dog. In the final station in the community room will be employees and volunteers from the city animal shelter. Here they will be able to provide information to families about the shelter and its events, as well as feature dogs that are up for adoption. In coordination with the animal shelter this fees for adoption will be waived with the dogs that are adopted on this day. It is an opportunity to not only embolden children to read, but also promote community resources for families. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Introduction 

• Opening Song

• Storybook 1:

• Movement Song:

• Storybook 2:

• Action Rhyme:

• Activity Breakout

  • Read to therapy dog inside storytheater (Love on a Leash) 

  • Meet animal shelter staff and adoptable pets

  • Craft and Coloring station. 

Staffing: 

2 Children's Librarian 

2 Library Assistants 

One librarian and library assistant each to staff the therapy dog station and the crafts. 

Budget: 

$30 budget in order to purchase craft supplies. Love on a Leash and animal center are both volunteer organizations.