The program is featured at seven different library locations around Phoenix, with therapy dogs available for time slots where kids can read a book of their choice to the four-legged listener.<\/p>\n
Katie McCormick brings her dog, Maire<\/a>, a certified therapy dog, to the Cesar Chavez Library nearly every Wednesday.<\/p>\n She said more and more kids have begun attending the event.<\/p>\n \u201cOur numbers have increased to the point where last week we couldn\u2019t see everybody because so many kids wanted to sign up,\u201d McCormick said. \u201cAnd the other thing that\u2019s really curious to me is that we have some kids that come back every single week, and they\u2019ve formed an attachment with her, so they want to do good.\u201d<\/p>\n McCormick says having a sounding board helps kids learn to read out loud in front of people without fear of judgment.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I would get called in school to read out loud, it was terrifying,\u201d she said. \u201cThese kids do it all the time, and I think that helps build the confidence that they can sound things out, they can do it out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n Kids who attend a Sit, Stay, Read event are allowed to either bring a book from home or pick out a book at the library to read.<\/p>\n Different therapy dogs attend the events at other library branches. Pictures of the dogs and the libraries they go to can be found on the Phoenix Public Library website<\/a>.<\/p>\n How can dogs become therapy dogs?<\/p>\n To be certified, a therapy dog must show patience, calmness, friendliness and be at ease in all situations, according to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.<\/p>\n The dogs must also be comfortable around all people and enjoy being petted and handled by anyone.<\/p>\n McCormick said Maire was certified after her first birthday and has since worked at hospitals, schools and Sky Harbor International Airport, along with her visits to read with kids at the library.<\/p>\n Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.<\/p>\n Follow @@shiratanzernews<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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