Community Corner
Kids Read Tales with Tails at the Capitola Library
The Capitola Library's Tales to Tails program allows children to practice reading with certified therapy animals.
Do your children struggle with reading, or are they too shy or embarrassed to read in public? Is there a way for them to practice reading, receive help and have fun along the way?
The answer is yes! Children of all ages are welcome to attend the Capitola Library’s Tales to Tails event (preregistration required), Wednesday from 3-4:30 p.m., and the event isn't called "Tales to Tails" for nothing.
Kids will have the opportunity to read with certified therapy animals for up to half an hour. These reading sessions are great for kids and parents alike, offering children a safe environment where they can read aloud without criticism or embarrassment, because the furry therapy animals don’t care about mispronunciations.
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“Some kids are learning to read; some have difficulty with reading and can really benefit with practice,” said Melanee L. Barash of the Santa Cruz City-County Library System. “The idea with reading with dogs is they’re reading to a pleasant being that's not judgmental, so they get a chance to practice without feeling self conscious or shy.”
Animal handlers who have had their animals go through evaluations to become therapy-certified, volunteer each Wednesday and Saturday, encouraging children to read fun tales with tails.
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Children read with their chosen animal while under the supervision of the handler, whose job is to make sure the animal is comfortable. Children and handlers work in a minimum of two people per team—the handler and child—and sometimes a third person joins in.
Parents are welcome to sit down with their children and partake in the experience as well.
The program, which started on Jan. 19, is exclusive to the Capitola Library on Wharf Road and has become a major hit with children, parents and animal handlers.
Children have the opportunity to read to different animals on different days, because the library hosts an array of handlers from different areas. Although dogs seem to comprise a good portion of the therapy animals at the library, a cat named Topaz is even available at times.
Barash said that after kids experience reading to therapy animals, they’re often excited to go home and hit the books with their own pets.
“It’s just something very special and fun for the kids,” Barash said. “Some kids that don't like reading out loud look forward to reading to the dogs, because it’s just very special.”
The number of participants caps at around nine children, and those who wish to attend are asked to preregister. Children are welcome to read from their own books or can choose from an assortment of books preselected at the library.
“Before kids arrive, I pull out ones about dogs or animals in general,” Barash said. “I try to pull out books that are a variety of reading levels, so kids can quickly look and grab, and are welcome to use any kids’ books we have.”
With the success of the program, Barash says the library system is already considering another Tales to Tails program at the Santa Cruz Branch Library.
“I continue to get calls from parents wanting their kids to participate, and I think almost every child that has come has wanted to continue, so it’s a hugely successful program,” she said.
Reading sessions take place when the library is closed, so participants are ensured total privacy. To preregister for the event or to inquire about other details, contact Melanee Barash at 831-427-7706, ext. 7672.
Where: Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd., Capitola
When: Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
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