Meet Molly and Leo. Instead of going to the dog park for a game of fetch, these two 10-year-old Havanese puppies spend their Wednesday afternoons at New York City’s P.S. 163. For an hour every week, they take time out of their busy schedules and relax while second graders read them stories.
Reading to Leo, who is listening quietly. @JCCManhattan #uws pic.twitter.com/iufS9mE5EK
— Emily Frost (@efrost1) February 25, 2015
This canine story hour is all a part of the Gift of Literacy program, funded by JCC Manhattan. Molly and Leo act as an audience for 15 students who need a bit more attention when it comes to learning how to read and write. The pups provide encouragement for pupils who are nervous about reading in front of their peers, for fear of being ridiculed or teased.
The @JCCManhattan literacy program in action: Molly the dog gives encouragement. #uws #socute pic.twitter.com/XigwPIGKM1
— Emily Frost (@efrost1) February 25, 2015
Molly’s owner, Jayne Pilner, has seen the progress the kids make firsthand. “Kids who barely could read before now say, ‘Oh boy, I get to read to Molly,'” she told DNAinfo.
A high five for great reading! #uws @JCCManhattan @ps_163 pic.twitter.com/RMfFLIMB5R
— Emily Frost (@efrost1) February 25, 2015
Thanks to Molly and Leo, the kids have become wildly enthusiastic about reading. One second grader in the program says she now regularly reads to her three dogs at home. “They’re really kind to me,” she says.