This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/17/2022 05:20 PMThe Scranton Memorial Library and Madison Youth and Family Services (MYFS) have recently implemented a new program designed to inspire a passion for reading in young minds and to also foster teen mentors, all with the help of a little fur ball named Ruby. The Reading with Ruby program lets youngsters read to a little white dog named Ruby under the tutelage of Madison teens fulfilling their community service requirements.
“This is a new program but we are already seeing the positive affect it is having,” said Justin Zeigler, the positive youth development coordinator at MYFS. “Ruby has become very popular. There has been an excellent turnout for our elementary school students.”
According to Zeigler, the program serves multiple purposes, instilling both reading skills and civic responsibility for the youth of Madison.
“The Reading with Ruby program is a part of our community service program that we undertake with rising seventh graders through rising twelfth graders,” Zeigler said. “And when we were trying to put this together an idea came up where we would have our youth go to the library over the summer to allow our elementary age kids to have a chance to read to Ruby and to some of our high school volunteers.”
According to Zeigler, data show that programs of this style have a quantifiable benefit in enhancing reading skills.
“It’s been proven that reading with a dog actually improves reading in kids, because it a non-judgmental figure that they are practicing with,” said Zeigler.
Lydia Holland, head of children’s services at Scranton, agreed with Zeigler, adding that students who have participated in the program are seeing success on multiple levels.
"Both reading and interacting with dogs are known to reduce stress, so this program is a great way for kids to practice their independent reading skills and to relax and improve their mental well-being,“ Holland said.
Taylor Scalia, who is the school-based clinician for MYFS, and Ruby’s owner, said the series has been popular and successful.
“I think the kids have been very excited and very curious that there is a dog in the library. So at first, it’s a lot of excitement about that and then it turns to comfortability quite quickly once they meet her,” Scalia said. “At the last session we actually had a line of children waiting to read to Ruby. It has been a great turnout since week one.”
Zeigler said that though the program only ran for three sessions this summer, they are looking to expand the program and make it a permanent series offered at the Scranton.
“I think it has been one of those things that has been a great benefit for our kiddos, who are practicing to read and also, from our end, bringing teen volunteers into the library is a huge support. Having older kids help and support younger children is a main focus of what we do here at Youth and Family Service,” Zeigler said. “Allowing teens to flex their leadership muscles is a huge part of our community service program. Helping develop young leaders is a critical aspect of our program and by engaging in these types of programs, we can reach that goal.”
Ruby and her caretaker, Scalia, underwent highly specialized training to become certified in therapy, according to Scalia. Ruby, like most trained service dogs, seems to innately understand her role and the positive atmosphere she helps to foster with participants.
“I adopted Ruby almost four years ago from an animal shelter. And at first, I wasn’t sure what her temperament would be like, but I instantly realized how calm, cool, and collected she was and how she loves to interacts with humans.” Scalia said. “She is a very calm dog. Her temperament is so kind and sweet..”
Scalia signed Ruby up with petpartners.org, and the duo completed online training to become a therapy dog and handler. Once Ruby graduated from training, the Ready with Ruby program was developed around her.
The last Reading with Ruby session is Thursday, July 21 at 4 p.m., however, Zeigler said the intent is to expand and develop the series and add more dates in the future.
‘We’re really excited about continuing this program. We are in talks with the folks at the Library,” said Zeigler. “It is so fun to watch people react to Ruby when she walks into the space. She is such a little fluff ball of love. So, anything we can do that to make kids be excited…to be at the library and to calm any anxiety that comes up…we are more than happy to support that. And Ruby has been an incredible partner is helping us achieve that.”
For more information about the program, visit scrantonlibrary.org or madisonct.org/812/Youth-Family-Services