Library in Wersten District, Düsseldorf, Now Canine-Friendly
In the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere of the Wersten library, a special programme is making a significant impact on the local community. The "Reading Dog" project, initiated by children's librarian Esther Körner, is exclusively designed for children to read in peace, aided by a specially trained Hungarian Viszla named Herr Meyer.
The project's goal is to train students' reading skills, reduce reading difficulties, and boost their confidence. Every two weeks, fourth-grade students from the Theodor-Heuss Elementary School visit the library on Thursday mornings to read to Herr Meyer. The children's interactions with Herr Meyer have made the library a more appealing learning and leisure space for them.
The "Reading Dog" project is a collaborative effort, with funding provided by the "With Heart and Hand for Wersten" foundation and the "Friends of Düsseldorf City Libraries" association. The foundation, established in 2004 as the city's first neighbourhood foundation, supports neighbourhood help initiatives and promotes social cohesion through diverse aid actions.
Carla-Maria Maaß, a trained ergotherapist and a student of special education at the University of Cologne, is instrumental in the project. She is responsible for training Herr Meyer and ensuring he is suitable for the library environment. Herr Meyer meets certain qualifications, including having a pleasant coat to touch and not shedding excessively, making him an ideal companion for the children.
The project relies on donations for funding to sustain its operations and increase Herr Meyer's presence in Wersten. Interested supporters can find more information and the donation account here. The goal is to continue and expand the project, fostering a love for reading among the children of Wersten.
While direct online information about Esther Körner’s "Reading Dog" project in Wersten, Germany, may be limited, local sources can provide more details. Check municipal or community websites for Wersten or Düsseldorf, contact local libraries, schools, or community centres in Wersten, or reach out to Esther Körner or affiliated organisations for more information about sponsorship opportunities. Local animal welfare or educational charities often sponsor or support reading-with-dogs projects and can provide guidance on sponsorship.
The inspiration for the project came from seeing therapy dogs at a friend's house in Ireland. Esther Körner's own dog was not suitable for the library due to shedding excessively, leading to the adoption of Herr Meyer. The "Reading Dog" project began in September 2022, and Maaß and her dog cost 90 euros per hour for the project.
Programs like "Rescue Readers," where children read to adoptable animals, conceptually similar though not directly related to Esther Körner's project, have proven successful in encouraging literacy and wellness in communities. The "Reading Dog" project in Wersten, Germany, is a unique and inspiring example of how community engagement with dogs can foster a love for reading and improve children's literacy skills.
- The "Reading Dog" project, aimed at boosting children's reading skills and confidence, extends beyond traditional reading resources, incorporating home-and-garden spaces by providing a welcoming atmosphere at the Wersten library.
- As the project continues to grow with the support of donations, it is anticipated that learning spaces in Wersten will become more appealing, not only for reading but also for personal development and lifestyle enhancement.
