A recent event at the Hobart Library found a furry friend in attendance who is an excellent listener.
“The goal of the (Read to a Dog) program is to offer an opportunity for people of all ages, but particularly school-aged children, to meet and interact with the dogs in a safe environment,” said branch manager Jo Bonner. “They are LCC (Lutheran Church Charities) K-9 Comfort Dogs, all calm and well-behaved.”
The Read to a Dog program is usually held on Fridays after school hours. Bonner feels this gives children and teens who come into the library “a calming break after a full day/week of school.”
Hobart resident Dan Fulkerson is a trainer/volunteer with LCC and presents the program locally, accompanied by 5-year-old canine Michael.
“We travel to local nursing homes, hospitals, and other locations to comfort people when requested,” he said. “This past year, we visited a local high school the week before students took their end-of-semester final exams.”
Eric and Melissa Rogers of Hobart brought in their son Liam, 4, to check out the library event.
“We come to the library regularly, and Liam always enjoys it here,” said his mom, Melissa. “When we heard about the Read to a Dog session, we thought this would be a good experience for him.”
Past library participants have commented to Fulkerson that it was a positive experience for their kids.
“When you pet an animal, your heart rate goes down, your blood pressure goes down, and that leads to relaxation,” said the handler, adding that empathy is another side effect.
During the current Hobart Library session, Liam wanted to make friends with the five-year-old canine before the reading began.
“He’s so soft,” the youngster said, introducing himself while petting Michael. “I think he likes me.”
Lutheran Church Charities is based in Northbrook, Illinois, and has affiliates in 27 states, according to Fulkerson. They work in tandem with local community Lutheran churches to provide volunteers for the K-9 comfort dog program.
The local churches own the dogs and have a special fund set up for their care.
Along with a dozen other volunteers from Hobart’s Trinity Lutheran Church, Fulkerson has completed many hours of certification and training for both himself and Michael.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.