英語翻譯
Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills With their
shining brown eyes,wagging tails,and unconditional love,dogs can provide the non-judgmental listeners
needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence according to Intermountain Therapy Animals
(ITA) in Salt Lake City.The group says it is the first program in the country to use dogs to help develop
literacy in children,with the introduction of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ).
The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea.Literacy specialists admit that children who read
below the level of their fellow pupils are often afraid of reading aloud in a group,often have lower self-
respect,and regard reading as a headache; said Lisa Myton,manager of the children's department.
Last November the two groups started;Dog Day Afternoon in the children's department of the main
library.About 25 children attended each of the four Saturday-afternoon classes,reading for half an hour.
Those who attended three of the four classes received a pawgraphed; book at the last class.
The program was so successful that the library plans to repeat it in April.According to Dana Thumpowsky,
public relations manager.