Dogs waiting for their forever homes in an animal shelter could use a little attention. Young students can use an attentive and friendly listener as they practice their reading skills. What better idea than to bring them together?
That was the idea behind Tales with Tails, a reading literacy program recently launched in Casper. The Casper College Goodstein Foundation Library collaborated with the college’s Student Financial Aid and the Casper Humane Society on this project.
The goals of Tales with Tails were to help younger students in Natrona County with literacy skills, provide Casper College students with work study/service learning opportunities, and promote the value of lifelong learning in the community.
By reading to shelter animals, students gain confidence in their reading abilities, and shelter animals become more adoptable as they are socialized with the students. Research shows that over time, students participating in similar programs can improve academic engagement behavior.
Casper College has been able to provide another work study position by sponsoring this pilot program, and also is able to use more federal funds to help other Casper College students. In the development of this program they’ve created service learning opportunities for Casper College students.
The pilot program ran March 27-29. At its conclusion 14 Casper College students were involved in planning or participation and 18 Natrona County students read to shelter animals. The Humane Society and Casper College Library plan to make this a recurring program.
For questions about the program, contact Casper College Librarian Sarah Mailloux.
