Furry friends help kids practice reading skills at Sioux City library

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A local library is continuing a yearly program that uses special canine listeners to help children practice their reading skills.
The 'Read-To-Me-Dogs' event is a part of the Sioux City Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Children are able to practice their reading skills with the help of gentle canine listeners.
Every child was able to read to a specially trained therapy dog for 5-6 minutes. At one point on Tuesday, almost 50 kids were in attendance.
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Library officials said this event give children a chance to read at a time when they're not focused on school.
'We know that during the summer it's really important for kids to read because they've gotten that reading proficiency during the school year and when they're home during the summer, we want to keep them reading. So this is a great way for them to come in, practice their reading and keep on reading and maybe a great way just to read out loud,' said Carol Harder, library assistant at Sioux City Public Library.
The public library has been holding the 'Read-To-Me-Dogs' event for nearly 20 years. The event is being held every Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. until July 1.
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