BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -The BCS Public Library System has a calendar full of free events all year long, including one every month that allows children to read books to dogs called the Aggieland Pets with a Purpose Read-a-thon.
Youth Librarian Makenzie Kubacak said it’s a way for kids to improve their reading skills while getting in some puppy love.
“The dogs don’t care how long it takes them to read the story, they just love spending that time with the kids and hearing them share the story with them, so it’s a great motivation for reading,” said Kubacak.
Aggieland Pets with a Purpose partners with the Larry J. Ringer Public Library to bring the organization’s trained pups to spread joy and lend a listening ear.
“We have a lot of families that they’ll enjoy coming back and seeing the dogs. We’ve even had the owners say that they’ve noticed the kids reading level will go up after they’ve had multiple visits,” added Kubacak.
Mother and daughter duo Julianne and Landry Daniel bring their dog Governor every month.
Julianne says from the moment they brought him home, they knew Governor’s purpose was to help others in the community.
“We had friends that had been a part of the organization and we were just really inspire by seeing what they were doing in the community and so Landry started training him really within the first week or two of him being at our house,” said Julianne Daniel.
Some other pups at July’s read-a-thon were Sam and Wrigley, who also soaked up every second of love from the little readers.
“Even if they’re, you know, taking a moment before they read, they also just get that moment where they just get to come and have some chill time,” added Kubacak. “Just spend some time with the dogs, and so that’s a really great mental health break as well.”
Aggieland Pets with a Purpose also brings their tail wags to those in need across several parts of BCS, including nursing homes, hospitals and Texas A&M’s campus.
Check out the BCS Public Library System’s activities calendar here.
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