It’s all about the dogs

Not all parents can admit their children want to go to the library, but on Friday afternoon Kristin Castiglione takes her three sons to East Meadow Public Library to read to therapy dogs.

“I can take them away from anything, even video games,” she said, almost still surprised.

On most Friday afternoons, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there are dogs in the library. By appointment only, parents can register their children to read to one of two therapy dogs.

While the program is provided to encourage and improve reading skills, some families attend for fun while others recognize the program has helped their children develop social skills and respect for animals.

Some children are embarrassed to read or even speak in front of people, said library representative Jude Schanzer. Dogs provide a non-judgmental audience and is a novelty so the children get excited, she said.

Schanzer recalled one young girl who was so afraid to speak in front of other she opted out of

show-and-tell. Weeks later, this same girl was excited to share with her classmates that she read to a dog.

As Jack Cesarano focused his attention on his chosen book, “Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach,” his parents sat by his side and looked on fondly. “Look Serious. Serious?” Jack said in an attempt to share the pictures with his canine companion. Serious glanced around the room more interested in finding a friend to play. “I think Serious likes the sounds of you voice best, more than the pictures,” encouraged Mike Cesarano, Jack’s father.

Jack, who always wants to read to Serious, a golden retriever, nestled his head into her thick coat and kissed her back. Surprising the child, Serious recognized the affection and kissed back with a slobbery lick on his cheek.

We come for fun, Eila and Mike Cesarano agreed. It’s just as much fun for us, added Mike, who also had the opportunity to get on the floor and play with Serious.

“Does she know how to play the dead trick?” Jacked asked Serious’ owner, Margaret Dubitsky.

“When I go bang she lies down, but I can’t get her to roll over,” Dubitsky said.

Willing to see this in action Jack stood up and with his right handed aimed like a gun he loudly commanded, “Bang, Bang.” The dog immediately looked in his direction and lay down. She is a kid person in a childless family, says Dubitsky.

Dubitsky, who lives in Mastic Beach and formerly worked at United Cerebral Palsy, discovered the library was seeking therapy dogs through Dog Therapy International. “My brother lives in East Meadow, so sometimes I stop by his house for free dinner,” Dubitsky joked, but says she enjoys providing her non-critical audience.

We see a lot of children with special needs or who are progressing slowly and need some extra help to develop their reading skills, she explained. Three children who utilized the service received most improved reader at school, she added.

Serious, who is obedient and knows many tricks like jumping, spinning and trotting, is also trained to respect children in wheelchairs. Serious knows to act gently with someone sitting in a chair, Dubitsky said. The dog knows there is no rough housing until someone sits on the floor.

The Mark family also chose to read with Serious.

Caden, 6, and 4-year-old Quinn, who corrected his parents to remind them he is 4½, both took turns reading as older brothers Logan, 12, and Brendan, 9, looked on.

“I asked them if they wanted to read, too,” said their mother Carla Mark. The older boys admitted they just came to play with the dog.

While Quinn, who does not yet know how to read, made up words to a picture-book, his brothers quietly sat on the floor petting the retriever as their parents, Carla and Michael, looked on.

While some children develop a relationship with Serious, others prefer reading to Smoky Bear, a Japanese Akita.

Smoky Bear, who is smoky in color, but extremely furry like a bear, was dressing in a pink hat, wore pink booties and later, sunglasses were added to the ensemble.

I like to dress him up, said Eileen Masciovecchio. Her husband Dan is the main owner.

After adopting Smoky Bear at 2 years old, the Masciovecchio family brought in a trainer and discovered she already knew the learned skills. At this time Dan realized the large, but quite canine would make a great therapy dog.

Smoky Bear who laid obediently upon a rug next to each child who read to her, appears ambivalent at best, but seems to view the pictures when a child offers a glance.

Massimo Castiglione, who is still learning to sound out word, used to “psyche himself out” while reading to her, said his mother, Kristin. Now, as he reads to Smoky Bear, he always tries his best. “He doesn’t even hesitate,” she added.

Kristin introduced her children to the library at a very young age and always encouraged them to pick up a book. “I struggle with reading growing up so I wanted to provide them with every possible resource.”

Her older twin sons, Paolo and Mateo, 8, also take part in the reading program. Mateo usually reads to Serious while Paolo alternates between the two and read to Smoky Bear last Friday.

“Show him the pictures,” Eileen suggested to Mateo as he sat to Smoky Bear’s side and kept the book on the floor. “I don’t want to,” he quickly responded and continued on with the book.

The Castiglione boys are friendly and outgoing, their mother noted, and aside from the benefit of improved reading, she says the boys have learned increased boundaries. Recalling a sustained dog bite as a child, Kristin said her sons used to run up and try to play with neighborhood dogs, but they have gained a new level of respect for canines through the reading program.

Each family says they try to return each week to see the dogs and suggest other local families take advantage of this resource.

Offered at East Meadow Public Library on most Fridays, parents can schedule an appointment with the Tail Waggin’ Tutor Read Dogs by calling (516) 794-2570 ext. 560.