Derby Neck Library offers opportunity for kids to read to therapy dogs

DERBY - Derby Neck Library staff will welcome back certified therapy dogs Spirit and Brian at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

Both pups love children and are fantastic listeners.

Reading aloud to a dog provides an attentive audience and may boost a child’s confidence in their reading skills.

Each participant will receive a commemorative photo of themselves with the dogs, as well as an experience they won’t soon forget!

Register below for this program:

https://derbynecklibrary.org/.../b-a-r-k-program-6-2023.../

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library to host reading to therapy dogs program

DERBY- Stop in to Derby Neck Library at 5 p.m. Tuesday to read to dogs and Be A Reading Kid (B.A.R.K.)! 

We are excited to welcome certified therapy dogs Spirit and Brian back to the Derby Neck Library. Both pups love children and are fantastic listeners. 

Reading aloud to a dog provides an attentive audience and may boost a child’s confidence in their reading skills. Each participant will receive a commemorative photo of themselves with the dogs, as well as an experience they won’t soon forget!

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

Register below for this program:
https://derbynecklibrary.org/.../b-a-r-k-program-5-2023.../

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page. 

Kids can read to therapy dogs April 11 at Derby Public Library

DERBY - Children ages 5-11 can share/read a book from 1-2 p.m. April 11 at Derby Public Library with/to one of our therapy dogs, Ollie and Molly! (Usually only one of the dogs comes at a time as they "take turns/share")

They’re great listeners and enjoy "paw" shakes with everyone.

This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers - as well as experienced readers - to build confidence, enhance literary skills achieved during the school year, and develop a love of reading.

Children are given a 10-minute time slot to read and may select a book from Ollie’s and Molly's Book Picks or bring their own book to share with them for the program.

Register @ http://bit.ly/3lUDHQr

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library offers kids opportunity to read to therapy dogs

DERBY - Stop in at Derby Neck Library March 28 to read to dogs and Be A Reading Kid (B.A.R.K.)! 

We are so excited to welcome certified therapy dogs Spirit and Brian back to the Library. Both pups love children and are fantastic listeners. 

Reading aloud to a dog provides an attentive audience and may boost a child's confidence in their reading skills. Each participant will receive a commemorative photo of themselves with the dogs, as well as an experience they won't soon forget!

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

Registration is required for this program! Click here to visit our calendar and sign up for the date you'd like to attend: https://derbynecklibrary.org/youth.../childrens-calendar/

Also, be sure to sign up for our Youth Mailing List here to stay in the loop on cancelations and other important info: https://forms.gle/Hf9wQiLWrB4dcmgMA

This is shared from the Derby Neck Library Facebook page.

Children invited to read to therapy dogs at Derby Neck Library

DERBY - Derby Neck Library offers B.A.R.K. program to children on the last Tuesday of every month. The next session is at 5 p.m. Sept. 27.

From the Library's event page:

"Stop in at the library to read to dogs and Be A Reading Kid (B.A.R.K.)! 

"We are so excited to welcome certified therapy dogs Spirit and Brian back to the Derby Neck Library. Both pups love children and are fantastic listeners. Reading aloud to a dog provides an attentive audience and may boost a child's confidence in their reading skills. 

"Each participant will receive a commemorative photo of themselves with the dogs, as well as an experience they won't soon forget!

"Registration is required for this program! Click here to visit our calendar and sign up for the date you'd like to attend: https://derbynecklibrary.org/youth.../childrens-calendar/
"Also, be sure to sign up for our Youth Mailing List here to stay in the loop on cancelations and other important info: https://forms.gle/Hf9wQiLWrB4dcmgMA"

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

B.A.R.K. program fun hosted at Derby Neck Library

DERBY - Derby Neck Library hosts Be A Reading Kid from 5-6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month.

The B.A.R.K. program is held in the Library's garden, 307 Hawthorne Ave. 

Derby Neck Library hosts Be A Reading Kid program

DERBY - Stop in at the [Derby Neck] library to read to dogs and Be A Reading Kid (B.A.R.K.)! 

We are so excited to welcome certified therapy dogs Spirit and Brian back to the Derby Neck Library. 

The sessions are slated for Sept. 28, Oct. 26, and Nov. 30.

Both pups love children and are fantastic listeners. 

Reading aloud to a dog provides an attentive audience and may boost a child's confidence in their reading skills.

Each participant will receive a commemorative photo of themselves with the dogs, as well as an experience they won't soon forget!

Registration is not required for this program! 

Just stop by our garden anytime between 5 and 6 p.m. if the weather's nice, or stop in at the Children's Room if it's raining. 

Be sure to sign up for our Youth Mailing List here to stay in the loop on cancelations and other important info: https://forms.gle/Hf9wQiLWrB4dcmgMA

Please note that at this time, masks are still required for anyone over the age of 2 who is not fully vaccinated, subject to change per local health department guidelines.

This is shared from Derby Neck Library Facebook page.

Derby Public Library to host family activities Feb. 4

DERBY - In recognition of the 6th annual Take Your Child to the Library Day, Derby Public Library staff has scheduled a variety of activities for families from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 4.

For anyone unfamiliar with this now-nationwide day of recognizing libraries, it began as a collaborative effort by Children’s Librarians in Connecticut to encourage families to stop by and discover all the resources and opportunities their local library offers. 

Think of it as a sampling of what today’s libraries are all about.

Families with children ages 4-11 are welcome to register for a painting class presented by the Giggling Pig Art Studio taking place at 10 a.m. 

There will also be a drop-in craft program with several do-it-yourself projects throughout the day. 

Lego Time is slated for 12:30 p.m. and is geared for children ages 4-11. All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this drop-in program. 

Children ages 5-11 are invited to say hello to therapy dog Payson, who will be available to listen to young readers share a story. 

Payson and her owner Janet Sabovik volunteer at the library as part of the popular, ongoing read to a therapy dog program.

The day also includes a raffle, refreshments, a scavenger hunt, and more! 

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St. Participants should meet at the children's room.

Registration is required for both the Giggling Pig Art Studio and Payson the therapy dog events.

For questions about the day contact Sue Sherman, children's librarian, 203-736-1482.

This information is shared from the Derby Public Library website. 

Staff at Griffin Hospital in Derby sends scrubs to Spain

“Hank,” a rescued galgo, or Spanish hunting greyhound, at Galgos del Sol, poses with some of the scrubs donated by staff at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Bariatrics. /Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Griffin Bariatrics staff have sent their lightly-used scrubs to help care for abandoned and injured galgos, also known as Spanish hunting greyhounds, across the globe.

Ruth Tuccio, a unit clerk at Griffin and coordinator of the hospital’s therapy dog program People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), organized the collection of scrubs for Galgos del Sol, a large rescue organization based in Murcia, Spain.

The scrubs will be used by volunteers when cleaning the dogs and their kennels, so that they don’t ruin their clothes.

In Spain, thousands of galgos are abandoned or killed annually at the end of each short hunting season. 
As they are not always viewed as potential pets in the country, galgos usually end up in pounds, where their lives are often ended in inhumane ways. 
Galgos del Sol rescues and rehabilitates them and finds them forever homes in the U.K., U.S., and Belgium.

For more information about Galgos del Sol, visit galgosdelsol.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Meet special canines at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

National Service Dog Day slated Aug. 1 
DERBY - Celebrate National Service Dog Day at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.
Join others to meet some dogs involved in private and public service.

Canine skills and training are unique for their service and we encourage all ages to come and learn what it takes for a dog to learn these skills. 
We will spotlight many organizations and individuals involved in the training and learn about new opportunities for your involvement.

Dogs are our best friends and have been working with people for centuries. Canines provide many services for people. Besides protection or searching skills, dogs help us to learn to read, assist those with physical limitations and still others provide company for many people in nursing homes or hospitals. 

A variety of handlers will be present with their dogs to explain their specialized service and training.

We invite families and individuals to come and learn more about the training and special talents these dogs provide every day. This program is open to all ages but please do not bring your dogs to the program.

Representatives from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection K-9 teams, Pet Partners, Eyes for the Blind, State Police K-9, search and rescue teams and many therapy and assistance dogs will be on the ground of the Kellogg Center.

No registration is necessary; the program is free. If possible, bring a donation of dog food for a local shelter.

For information, directions, or to register call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

This is a press release from DEEP. 

Therapy dog program calendar at Griffin Hospital in Derby raises $1,450

Tess, a registered therapy dog with the Griffin Hospital P.A.W.S. program, and her companion Inge Van ark, pose with a gift bag designed to bring comfort to the families of patients admitted to Griffin’s Hospice program. The bags were purchased through the 2015 PAWS Calendar fundraiser. / Submitted photo

DERBY - The therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital has helped bring comfort to patients for years. Thanks to a recent fundraiser, the canines are now bringing extra comfort to the families of terminally ill patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital, sold calendars featuring photos of its canine caregivers this winter and raised $1,450.

The funds were used to purchase care bags for the caregivers of hospice patients. The bags include items to help relieve stress and provide comfort, including poetry and aromatics.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who purchased a calendar in support of this cause,” said Ruth Tuccio, P.A.W.S. Coordinator at Griffin Hospital. “Providing extra support and care is at the heart of our program and we wanted to make sure families of our most special patients receive a little extra comfort when they need it most.”

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation centers to provide companionship and help decrease anxiety. The program now has 16 certified therapy animal and companion teams with dogs ranging in size from a Shih Tzu to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Griffin Hospital Hospice program brings comfort, dignity, self-respect and tranquility to patients in the final stages of life. 
The program offers trained staff that work collaboratively with family members to discuss care and respond to factors that may influence the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and provides comfort items for the patient and the family members.

For more information, contact P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator Ruth Tuccio, 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby Library to host children's activities in May

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time at 12:30 p.m. May 2. All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this drop-in program which will take place twice a month. 
There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided. The masterpieces will remain on display in the Children’s Room for everyone to admire!

Play, Learn, Create!

The Library introduces Play, Learn, Create! at 10 a.m. May 4 through June 1. This learning center based program is open to preschoolers age 3-5 offering an opportunity to enhance social and school readiness skills through activities focusing in the areas of art, literacy and language, number concepts, dramatic play, blocks, puzzles/games and music and movement. 
Each week will consist of different learning centers to give preschoolers the benefit of exploring a variety of areas of interest all fostering their developmental skills.

This program is designed for a preschooler to attend independently while a parent/caregiver remains in the Children’s Room for the length of the program. There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested.

American Girl theme
The Library will offer a series of American Girl themed programs with the first one at 11 a.m. May 2. In celebration of Grace, the 2015 American Girl of the Year, this program will feature activities that coincide with her passion for baking. We will be decorating sweet treats and creating a bakery box/bag to package these culinary masterpieces along with some book talk about Grace. 

This program is suited for children ages 8-11. There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested. Space is limited.

Therapy dogs
Read to Payson takes place at 10 a.m. May 2 when the popular children’s reading to a therapy dog program continues for the spring. Children ages 5- 11 are invited to share a book with Payson during this interactive reading program.

Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Payson. 
Payson, an Australian Shepherd, is a rescue dog who was found roaming the streets of Kentucky. She and her owner, Janet Sabovik, are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer throughout the community.


This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills achieved during the school year and encourage a love of reading. 
Participants are encouraged to stop by the Children’s Room to select a book with Payson’s “paw of approval” to share with her for the program.

Mother's Day craft
A Mother’s Day craft program will take place at Derby Public Library at 3:45 p.m. May 5 for children in kindergarten through Grade 4. Get creative and design a card for mom along with a special surprise for Mother’s Day. 
All materials will be supplied and there is no fee to attend.
Registration is requested. 

For information or to register for any programs, call 203-736-1482, stop by the Children’s Room at 313 Elizabeth St., or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Sue Sherman, children's librarian, Derby Public Library.  

Griffin in Derby offers canine calendars to benefit hospice program

Fundraiser features therapy dog photos

Tess and Liza, Golden Retriever companions to Inge van Ark of Oxford, grace the cover of the People and Animals Working in Spirit 2015 Calendar. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Man’s best friend is giving a helping paw to Griffin Hospital’s most fragile patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital in Derby, is offering 2015 calendars featuring professional photos of its caring canines to raise money for the hospital’s hospice program.

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation are centers to provide companionship and help decrease anxiety.

The program now has 16 certified therapy animal and companion teams with dogs ranging in size from a Shih Tzu to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Griffin Hospital Hospice program brings comfort, dignity, self-respect and tranquility to patients in the final stages of life.

The program offers trained staff that work collaboratively with family members to discuss care and respond to factors that may influence the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and provides comfort items for the patient and the family members such as flowers, afghans, candles with LED lights, and complementary therapies like therapeutic massage, Reiki and meditation.

The calendars are $12 each and are available in Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts, located on the first floor of Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

For more information, contact P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator Ruth Tuccio, 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.