Faculty of Information Quarterly Vol 1, No 4 (August 2009)

When Vicki Myron arrived for the Opinion Piece: morning shift at Spencer Public Library on January 18, 1988, she never expected to find a Breaking Down frightened, half frozen eight-week-old staring back at her from the bottom of the Barriers: Dogs library’s drop box. Vicki felt instant warmth and tenderness when she looked into his eyes — a feeling she wanted to share with the library’s and in patrons. That kitten, later named Dewey Readmore Books, would become the celebrated Public Libraries symbol of a rural Iowa community, bringing joy and comfort to the lives of all who knew him (Myron & Witter, 2008). Dewey had a special talent for reaching Daniela Pacini, Master of out to a wide range of library patrons. One of Information Studies, Faculty of his favourites, a severely disabled child named Information, University of Toronto. Crystal, never made a sound until Dewey singled her out to be his special friend (Myron & Witter, Daniela Pacini is a second-year Master 2008). Clearly, Dewey was an extraordinary of Information Studies student at the feline, but his story is not unique. The University of Toronto with a special therapeutic effect of animals, especially dogs and interest in public librarianship. During cats, is well-documented in literature and in the her time at the Faculty of Information, testimonies of individuals who have experienced first-hand the joy and healing power of Daniela has studied alternative interacting with animals. methods of designing and rethinking Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is the library space. She is eager to see gaining prominence in North America and is the public library transform into an currently being used in many settings, including exciting and innovative ‘go to’ medical institutions, retirement homes, destination. Her love of animals and psychiatric care facilities, and now even libraries. experiences working in a store has AAT is designed to improve the emotional, inspired her to investigate the physical, and social functioning of the patient possibility of dogs and cats in a public through interaction with animals. A child coping library context. with a physical disability improves their fine motor skills by performing the daily tasks of caring for an animal (Fine, 2006). Participants

Page 1 of 4 Faculty of Information Quarterly Vol 1, No 4 (August 2009)

who were once introverted and depressed are (Briggs, 2003). Most importantly, it is just plain able to re-focus their energies on a new project fun. — their pet (Bateman, 2004). In the United States similar programs In libraries, therapy dogs and their are breaking down barriers for struggling handlers are paired with children to promote a readers. Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) love for reading while facilitating a positive based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a non-profit association with local libraries. Therapeutic organization encouraging the unique bond Paws of Canada (TPOC), a registered charity, between humans and animals. In 1999, ITA began Paws to Read, a program that provides launched Reading Education Assistance Dogs certified therapy dogs to children in schools and (R.E.A.D), an innovative program aiming to libraries to encourage struggling students with “improve the literacy skills of children through reading skills. Paws to Read offers its services the assistance of registered therapy teams as throughout Ontario, the Atlantic Provinces and literacy mentors” (ITA, 2008). The program is Quebec (TPOC, 2009). straightforward, for about 30 minutes each Before the dogs can become service week, children aged five to nine years old read , each dog must complete both the TPOC aloud to dogs while handlers sit nearby to therapy dog evaluation, as well as a special monitor the activity (Mott, 2002). Dogs are assessment testing the dog’s ability to work taught to look like they are listening by focusing alongside children. To ensure the safety of their attention on the book or the children’s participants, TPOC requires that each dog is up- faces (ITA, 2008). Although R.E.A.D. has yet to to-date on their health requirements and well- be more formally evaluated, in just over ten groomed before attending each session. One of years, the program has ballooned to 1,900 teams the added benefits of this service is that it is free in 45 states (ITA, 2008). of charge; dogs and handlers are volunteers and Despite the increasing popularity of so there is no cost to participating libraries and therapy dog services, there are serious and schools (TPOC, 2009). legitimate concerns, some of which include the In Paws to Read, children are risks of infection, bites, and allergies (Biden, encouraged to choose their own books and read 2004). Individuals who are fearful of animals aloud to their new companion. Unlike humans, will also require special consideration. Many of dogs do not appear to judge a child who these issues can be managed by keeping animals stumbles over a sentence or mispronounces a healthy, vaccinated, well-groomed and carefully word; instead, the dog ‘listens’ quietly, providing trained and supervised by their handlers (Asp, the child with undivided attention and affection 2005). (Marwick, 2006). Children who are otherwise Dogs often take the spotlight, but cats shy and withdrawn get the opportunity to like Dewey are infiltrating libraries around the practice reading and improve their self-esteem world. As of September 21, 2007, according to

Page 2 of 4 Faculty of Information Quarterly Vol 1, No 4 (August 2009)

Iron Frog Productions, there are 274 library cats Society seems to have disappeared and worldwide; an overwhelming 214 of them live in information about the organization is scarce and the United States, and only 12 library cats reside outdated. However, library cats continue to in Canada. create positive library interactions for patrons; Iron Frog Productions and Director their presence is sparking a renewed interest in Gary Roma are the makers of the 1997 award- the public library for those who haven't taken a winning documentary Puss in Books: Adventures of trip to the library in years (Attoun, 2004). the Library . The film showcases cats like There is plenty of anecdotal evidence Kinky at the Kilbourn Public Library in on the subject of dogs and cats in public Wisconsin whose main job is rodent patrol and libraries. But more research needs to be Dewey, who focuses his energies on marketing implemented before programs are widely and public relations. These working cats play an accepted and receive the recognition and important role in increasing awareness of the funding they need to be successful (Hooker, et library and act as an ice-breaker for hesitant new al., 2002). Although at times met with patrons. skepticism, this topic deserves consideration so When asked by other librarians if they that library cats and dogs can continue to make too should adopt a cat, Dewey’s owner Vicki a positive impact on their local communities. Myron (2008) warns “Only if it’s the right cat.” In our extremely technological society, According to Vicki any potential library cat humans often lose touch with the natural world should be “calm, patient, dignified, intelligent, right outside their doorstep. Through their and above all, outgoing” (p. 196). These simplicity of spirit, animals remind humans to attributes are difficult to find in cats, many take a moment out of their hectic schedules — preferring to spend their time in solitude. But to breathe, relax, and live in the moment. when the right cat is chosen, he or she can Therapy dogs and cats can serve this important dramatically change the atmosphere of a library function for all library patrons, from providing — just like Dewey and many others. companionship to a lonely senior, and In 1987, a cat-in-residence named inspiration to a struggling reader; cats and dogs Reggie inspired Phyllis Lahti to create the supply their attention and unconditional love. Library Cat Society in Moorhead, Minnesota. We can all learn a lesson from these tender- The Society encouraged dozens of member hearted creatures. libraries to swap information about their cats, many of which were found abandoned in book chutes or library parking lots (Wesleyan College, 2008). Lahti even authored an anthology titled Cats, librarians, and libraries: Essays for and about the Library Cat Society . Nowadays, the Library Cat

Page 3 of 4 Faculty of Information Quarterly Vol 1, No 4 (August 2009)

References

Asp, K. (2005). Volunteer pets. Prevention, 57 (4), G. Roma (Director). (1997). Puss in books: 176-178. Adventures of the library cat . [DVD] United States of America: Iron Frog Productions. Attoun, M. (2004). Library cats. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from Marwick, R. (2006). Therapy and service dogs: http://www.americanprofile.com/article/3897. Friends and healers. Retrieved February 21, html 2009, from http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/News/Therapy Bateman, P. (2004). Going to the dogs at the -and-service-dogs-Friends-and Aurora Public Library. Colorado Libraries, 30 (1), healers.aspx?articleID=8192&categoryID=news 21-23. -poh5

Biden, A. (2004). Who’s the four-legged Therapeutic Paws of Canada. (2009). Paws to librarian?: Upland Public Library trains a guide read. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from dog. Children & Libraries, 2 (2), 44-47. http://www.tpoc.ca/ChildrensPrograms.aspx

Briggs, R. (2003). Paws for reading: An Wesleyan College. (2008). Library cat. Retrieved innovative program uses dogs to help kids read February 21, 2009, from better. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from http://www.wesleyancollege.edu/Academics/Li http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/C brary/LibraryCat/tabid/184/Default.aspx A300755.html?industryid=47087&q=paws+for +reading

Fine, A. H. (2006). Handbook on animal assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.

Hooker, S. D., Freeman, L.H. & Stewart, P. (2002). Pet therapy research: A historical review. Holistic Nursing Practice, 17 (1), 17-23.

Intermountain Therapy Animals. (2008) R.E.A.D. program. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from http://www.therapyanimals.org/read/

Iron Frog Productions. (2009). Library cats map. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html

Mott, M. (2002). Canine companions may help kids learn to read. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/200 2/10/1001_021001_READdogs.html

Myron, V. & Witter, B. (2008). Dewey: The small town library cat who touched the world . New York: Grand Central.

Page 4 of 4