Middletown Public Library Hosts Pet Therapy Reading Program

August 1, 2022 | 4:36 p.m.

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  Aniya Faulcon
  
  

  Aniya Faulcon is a Smart Talk host/producer for WITF. She has a passion for bringing to light unique people, experiences and perspectives within the community.

  Previously, she worked as a reporter and video presenter on people and social trends for LancasterOnline | LNP News. While there, she created video packages, provided Facebook Live coverage at community events, and wrote data-driven stories with census data and stories about local leaders, nonprofits, and more. profit, events and people with unique talents and experiences within Lancaster. County.

  Aniya has also worked at WMAR ABC 2 News as a Business Assistant and at AFRO American Newspapers as an Executive Assistant and Media Correspondent. Aniya interned at WEAA Gospel Grace 88.9 and worked at her alma mater’s radio station, WWPJ at Point Park University, where she gained skills and a passion for radio.

  Aniya grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the Baltimore School for the arts for the high school with a major in theater. She continued to hone her skills and passion for storytelling and later graduated from Point Park University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interpretation and Broadcast Reporting. Aniya looks forward to continuing her journey with storytelling in her role with WITF, as she aims to shed light on real people and real stories in Pennsylvania in a variety of mediums.

Middletown Public Library

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF radio”.

Broadcast date: Monday, August 1, 2022

Middletown Public Library has partnered with Caring Hearts Pet Therapy to present a program that encourages a love of reading and provides therapy from a furry friend.

Tales with TAILS, which stands for Therapy Animals Increasing Literacy Skills, is a program that allows children from kindergarten through 5th grade to engage with therapy dogs and cats while reading to them individually or in small groups.

With guidance from literacy mentors at Caring Hearts Pet Therapy, children read books to animals, which act as attentive, non-judgmental listeners to support the development of their reading and communication skills.

According to the Caring Hearts Pet Therapy website, this program helps increase relaxation and lower blood pressure.

John Grayshaw, director of the Middletown Public Library, said the program becomes more important during the school year because it gives children the opportunity to relax and apply skills learned in school.

“I hope this finds the kids who are struggling the most and helps improve their reading skills, because it’s one of the skills needed for life,” Grayshaw said.

To participate in this program, visit the Middletown Public Library at 20 N Catherine St. on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.