Children and therapy dogs will be brought together in a heart-warming program at the Knippenberg Center for Education at Laurelwood Arboretum, 725 Pines Lake Road, Wayne on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. The program, which is sponsored by Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA), is free and open to children from 5 to 10 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The visiting dogs are certified with Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs of New Jersey, Inc. and serve regularly in the Wayne area, helping children learn to read and visiting with senior citizens.
Children may bring their own books and sit comfortably on blankets with the dogs. They can see the positive effect their reading has on the animals, who look like they’re listening.
“The best part is that the dogs don’t judge or criticize a child’s reading. They just sit and listen,” said Linda DeYoung, who owns a shetland sheepdog named Polly, who is a therapy dog. “It’s an excellent confidence builder, and because this program works with only certified therapy dogs, kids who have a fear of dogs learn to trust their four-legged friends.”
The program is the first in a series of three Reading to Dogs programs at the Knippenberg Center. It will also be held on Sunday, August 14, and Sunday, October 9. For information, please call 973-831-5675 or send an email to info@laurelwoodarboretum.org.