Library program goes to the dogs!

Last week I was lucky enough to be one of the Illinois authors invited to the Illinois Library Association annual conference at Navy Pier here in Chicago. While there, I couldn’t help but notice a session about a unique library experience for children with autism.

Once a month, children across the autism spectrum are invited to the Plainfield Public Library to interact with therapy dogs in a safe, nurturing environment. I’ve heard of therapy dogs before, and my Seeing Eye dog Hanni and I volunteer for a reading program with the Chicago Public Schools. But I’d never heard of a library therapy dog program catered specifically to children with autism before.

Attendees to this session last week heard program success stories, and then superstar therapy dog Abbey gave a presentation. Librarians were encouraged to link to Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy for information on how to start up a similar program at their own library for children with autism.

My dog Hanni is ten years old and set to retire soon. Who knows? Maybe in her retirement, she’ll decide to volunteer in a library program like this!


 

Comments may not reflect Easterseals' policies or positions.


  1. Nicole Says:

    I live near Plainfield, I’ll have to contact them to find out more about the program 🙂 . It’s great to hear about a local program.