Literacy Education Assistance Pups visit Bridgeville Library

BRIDGEVILLE, Del.– The acronym L.E.A.P stands for the Literacy Education Assistance Pups, let children practice reading outloud to trained therapy dogs, allowing kids to improve their literacy skills and strengthen their creativity.

“The theory goes that children will be more comfortable reading to a dog where nobody is correcting how they say a word,” L.E.A.P volunteer Linda Spicer said. “That’s what it’s all about just being more comfortable in a library and more comfortable with reading.”

Twice a month Linda Spicer along with her dog Penny visits little ones at the Bridgeville Public Library. Penny underwent special socialization to become a literacy therapy dog.

“A lot of the training has to do with being comfortable around other dogs and strangers,” Spicer said. “They also have to be comfortable around children.”

For children’s librarian Hilary Fudge the L.E.A.P program is all about letting young learners expand their creativity outside of a traditional learning setting.

“In a traditional learning setting, you’re sounding out words, your actually trying to read what’s on the page,” Fudge said. “Whereas with this program they’re making up their own story.”

Fudge added that for these toddlers, it’s all about getting them to read from a young age– even if it takes a helping paw to turn the page.

“It’s nice to be able to take a backseat because it’s like when I am doing story time, I’m on the other side of it.” Fudge said. “So with the L.E.A.P program I get to sit in the passenger seat and watch the kids tell the story.”