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Reading with Stash
Sheepdog helps children with their reading skills at Jack
Russell Memorial Library
By Gay Griesbach DAILY NEWS, West Bend Wisconsin, April 24th 2012
Hartford Wi --- Since opening its doors in November, Hartford's Jack
Russell Memorial Library has hosted a patient listener that helps young
readers build their skills.
On Saturday, Stash, a 7 year old Polish Lowland Sheepdog spent part of
his morning looking at flash cards with Sage Sanchez,3.
Sitting on the floor of the library's Children's Story Room (Stash's
office) Hunter Jerwinski 4, held Stash's paw while mom Amy Jerwinski
read selections from the library's shelves.
Hunter said he hopes to be able to read to Stash on his own one day.
Iniitally, retired Librarian and Assistant Director of the library,
Audrey Wolfert invited Stash to spend a morning each week last summer
listening to the children read. This was at the old library in a
building that also housed the police department. The program was an
immediate success and so it continues at the brand new state of the art
facility. The children bond quickly with Stash and his patient and
nonjudgmental listening encourages young readers.
Diane Pirc said since starting at the new library, Stash has heard
stories from more than 186 new and emerging readers. The father of one
little girl, a frequent visitor, reported that her teacher had called
wondering what he and his wife were doing different Her reading skills
had so improved. Another home schooled, 5 year old practices reading
upside down so Stash can see the pictures on the pages she reads to him.
Both Tom and Diane Pirc, Stash's owners, agree that Stash's patience
and intuitiveness should not be wasted. He must not just sit at home if
he can help a child read and in the process create many smiles all
around.
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