PALS drop in ( Pet Assisted Literacy Support) in the Library

Markham Public Library in partnership with One Health Partners, is thrilled to  have PALS in the Library, an animal assisted reading program designed to motivate, inspire and support the development of literacy skills, social emotional learning and love of reading while also being neurodiversity and disability friendly. Young readers build confidence and capacity as they read out loud to a learning pal who is fun, furry and only requires reading to be punctuated with periodic pats.  Friends would who just like to meet out furry friends and sit with them, are also welcome.

This program will provide a unique, safe and fun learning opportunity for children to individually spend time with a certified therapy dog who is also temperament tested professionally evaluated, safety and health screened therapy dogs.

In this drop in program, kids are invited (up to ) two at time to spend time with a certified therapy dog for 15 minutes.