Allison Eckberg, 7, of East Peoria, reads to Sara, a Border Collie Mix, and Kim Lister, a volunteer with the Peoria Humane Society, Monday afternoon at Fondulac District Library.
The Peoria Humane Society offered a reading to dogs program for children over 8 years old. The Paws to Read program was started in March of 2005 as a way to help children develop their literacy skills and enjoy the companionship of a canine friend, according to Sue Elder, the library’s youth services coordinator.
The children were partnered with registered and trained therapy dogs, allowing them to relax and enjoy reading and build their confidence in reading out loud.
