By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Little ones were in for a fluffy, cuddly treat this past Saturday, September 14th as the Westwood Public Library (WPL) hosted two therapy dogs from Dog B.O.N.E.S: Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts. This program was for children in grades K-5th in which they could read to these dogs for fifteen minute intervals. Registration was required for this event and it certainly filled up quickly.
These two golden retriever therapy dogs, Parker and Neely, were there to help the children practice their reading skills in a low-stakes/pressure environment. Head of Youth Services at the WPL, Kristy Pasquariello, was seen helping each group of attendees into the Children’s Program Room.
She additionally explained to each child and family member that the kids would go in first, read for about twelve minutes and then the rest of the family was welcomed in for three minutes to take pictures. Two children were allowed into the room at time and they all fell in love with Parker and Neely.
When talking with Pasquariello about this event, she boasted about how much the Westwood community truly seems to love it. “We have been doing this type of program for six years now,” Pasquariello explained, “because I have been here for almost seven years and I was lucky enough to bring this program over to Westwood. We reach out to local therapy dog organizations and there are a whole bunch actually. Sometimes the dogs are from different organizations but Parker and Neely are both from Dog B.O.N.E.S. We have this type of event every month and the kids get to sign up for fifteen minute appointments. We like to have the parents wait outside at first so the children can have some one-on-one time with the dogs. And the handlers, like the ones here today who are Jen and Michelle, are really great because they don’t interfere that much. The whole idea is no pressure and just have some quality reading time with the dogs.”
As each group of children entered the room, they could either bring a book they wanted to read in with them or ones were provided inside. As the kids sat down and started to pet the dogs, Jen and Michelle would give a brief explanation of what therapy dogs do if they did not already know. “Their [therapy dogs] one job is to make you happy,” Michelle explained to one child, “and we hope that that is exactly what they will do today!”
As the hour-long session went along and children filed through, it was easy to tell just how much everyone participating absolutely loved the event. Parker and Neely were the absolute best dogs who received lots of belly scratches and butt rubs. Many attendees even went on to describe them as models for they sure knew how to smile for the camera!
For more information about events like these happening at the WPL, including the “Woofing” Hour, please visit their website at www.westwoodlibrary.org.
