In October, the Columbia Public Library, 24 S. Sixth St., received a $3,800 grant that will fund several programs offered to local students and library patrons. Library director Lisa Greybill said that the grant came from D.H. Funk and Sons through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program and the donation will be used to support the Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) program, as well as the Summer Reading Program, read-alouds, and STEM and coding programming at the library.
The grant will allow the library to purchase books and other incentives for students who complete reading challenges with Tommy, the READ Rottweiler that visits the library and Park Elementary School with his trainer and handler, Kelly Skiptunas.
"Up until now, Kelly has been buying things for the students out of her pocket," noted Greybill.
Skiptunas, who resides in Wrightsville, has been visiting the Columbia Public Library with her trained dogs for more than 10 years. She first visited with her dog Benny, who was a bone cancer survivor and was recognized as the first Rottweiler to win the American Kennel Club (AKC) Humane Award for Canine Excellence (ACE). Benny passed away at age 10.
Tommy, who is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, has devoted eight years to therapy work in local libraries, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Tommy, Skiptunas, and Greybill travel to Park Elementary School every other Thursday to spend time reading with students in various grade levels, as well as with students in the IU 13 life skills class. Skiptunas and Tommy also frequently visit the library for read-alouds and during the annual Summer Reading Program. "Kids always remember his name," commented Greybill.
"Tommy is such a happy-go-lucky dog, and I think the kids pick up on that," Skiptunas said. She noted that reading therapy with dogs has numerous benefits, one of which is the opportunity for someone to practice reading aloud without fear of failure and judgment. "We all learn at our own pace. If (students) who are struggling make mistakes, that doesn't matter to (Tommy)," agreed Greybill.
"We are hoping it encourages kids to love reading for life," emphasized Skiptunas.
"And we hope it helps in developing a lifelong love for animals," Greybill added. "You never outgrow reading. There are places you might never see, but you can visit them in a book."
To learn more about the Columbia Public Library, people may call 717-684-2255 or visit https://columbiapubliclibrary.org.
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