Readers are Leaders (Literally)

Nicole reads to Bandit at Paws for Reading at the Montville Township Public Library

We like this Montville, New Jersey reading program.

The Montville Township Public Library's first Paws for Reading session was held Wednesday evening in the Pio Costa Auditorium, with children ages 6 and up reading to therapy dogs for 10 minutes at a time.

For an hour, children took turns reading to Jersey and Bandit, two therapy dogs brought in by their owners. Montville Township residents Chelsea Ritschel and her mom, Jackie Ritschel, brought Jersey, a black lab. Township resident Marcia Lederman brought Bandit, a Tibetan terrier.

Chelsea Ritschel, a senior at Montville Township High School, and Lederman are certified to use their dogs for therapy by St. Hubert's Animal Shelter.

Library director Allan Kleiman and children's director Amy Resnikoff said the program is designed to help kids learn to read aloud in a friendly environment, boosting children's literacy and confidence.

I want someone to read to me!