Children read in the company of dogs at Berkeley Library

PAWs to Read 1/10 2/5/13 — A boy reads a book while a dog listens intently at Paws to Read at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library on Feb. 5. Photo: Kaia Diringer

The popular Paws to Read program started up at the Berkeley Public Library’s North Branch on Tuesday this week, and Berkeleyside photo intern Kaia Diringer dropped by to capture the event.

The program, which runs weekly through March 12, sees children in grades kindergarten through five reading aloud to a gentle dog provided by TherapyPets, a nonprofit all volunteer organization based in Oakland.

Paws to Read allows children to practice oral fluency, spend time with a friendly dog, and have fun. “The goal is to help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence, as well as foster a fondness for reading,” the library said in a statement. Other Bay Area communities have successful Paws to Read programs.

PAWs to Read 6/10 2/5/13 — Paws to Read allows children to practice oral fluency, spend time with a friendly dog, and have fun. Photo: Kaia Diringer

PAWs to Read 8/10 2/5/13 — Children read in 20-minute sessions. Photo: Kaia Diringer

Sisters read to a dog. — Sisters read to a dog at Paws to Read at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library on Tuesday. Feb. 5. Photo: Kaia Diringer

Paws to Read takes place every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda (at Hopkins). Children can sign up for a 20-minute session at the library which is open Mondays-Tuesdays, Fridays-Saturdays 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Wednesdays-Thursdays 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Kaia Diringer is currently Berkeleyside’s photo intern. See more of her work on Flickr.

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Tracey Taylor