In November 2022, children’s librarian Liz Gardiner transferred to Parkway Central Library from Queen Memorial Library in Point Breeze, where therapy dogs were occasionally invited to calm children during story time. 

The program was implemented at the Parkway Central branch and has since expanded and gone a long way toward helping those children learn to read, writes Beatrice Forman for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

“Dogs aren’t judgmental. They’re not going to say ‘you’re taking too long to read this sentence’ or ‘you pronounced this wrong,’” said Rasheem Clinton, the library assistant at the Parkway Central branch. “That helps the kids feel comfortable going at their own pace and encourages them to become stronger readers.”

Research shows that reading regularly to a therapy dog can help children socially and emotionally.

A 2010 University of California-Davis study found significant improvements in the reading ability of third graders who read to a therapy dog consistently over 10 weeks. 

At Parkway Central, the children’s department offers weekly “Read to a Therapy Dog” sessions in partnership with Philadelphia nonprofit, Comfort Caring Canines.

Katie Lane has seen changes in her daughter’s reading habits since attending.

“The dog is motivating her to practice,” she said. “It’s a safe place.”

Read more about how therapy dogs are helping children improve their reading at The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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