Page 3 - APRIL2022

April 2022
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
Page 3
Community
Jack is a dog who has no trou- ble just listening to the kids who read or talk to him, and Jaques mentions, “it’s so important to have someone just to listen.” She couldn’t be more right.
About to be eight years old, Jack is an adorable and sweet black lab who has no trouble putting a smile on everyone’s face. Book Buddies is a walk-in program, and Gauvreau says, “we want to give every kid who wants to read a chance to read to Jack.” It sounds like Jack loves listening to all of these wonder- ful kids as they gain confidence in their reading. Be sure to check out Book Buddies at the Pease Public Library and say hi to Jack on the second and fourth Wednesday every month from 3:30-4:30. And for anyone in- terested in learning more about therapy dogs and what they do, check out https://www.therapy- dogs.com/
BOOK BUDDY
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registered therapy dog, and a wonderful one at that. It’s no secret that learning to read can be difficult for some kids, and there’s pressure that comes with it. The goal of the program is to create a safe space for kids who might have a tough time learning how to read. The chil- dren can come in and read to Jack without any judgment or pressure at all. Claire Jacques, Jack’s owner, tells me, “Jack is a very obliging dog and listens to every story. We love doing this program because Jack is an ex- ceptional dog, and he’s great at his job.”
Book Buddies certainly has a positive reaction from the community because Nicole Gauvreau, the Youth Services Librarian at Pease, says, “ded- icated Jack fans show up every week to read to him and to just talk to him.” Unfortunately, the
TAP
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passes and infrared thermometers to complete a scavenger hunt. They also learned about the im- portance of the ancient Japanese art of Origami in the space en- gineering process. They learned about NASA’s recently launched James Webb Telescope, which used Origami in the design.
The staff and teens worked together and combined their cooking skills to make chicken and vegetarian tacos with rice for dinner. After dinner, they ate delicious baked goods for dessert. They played pool, and some par- ticipants learned to play for the first time ever. In the gym, they played racquetball, volleyball, and basketball until the later hours of the night. Many meaningful con- versations were had, which made the event special and memora-
program had to pause because of the pandemic, but when the library re-opened last July, people were quick to ask about
ble. Once everyone was settled for the evening, they watched Disney’s Encanto and sang along to the music. In the morning, a
family-style breakfast of oatmeal, yogurt, and bagels was enjoyed before heading home.
Rachel, one of the 17-year- old Circle teens, explains why this overnight is so important.
“It felt like home! I love seeing ‘my’ girls whenever I go. We had a lot of fun!”
Book Buddies. Luckily, it re- started in September of 2021, and it was like Jack never left. Some kids on the shyer side
Circle staff and teens LOVE to go back every year to Mayhew’s Base Camp for this annual event. The collaboration and kindness that the Mayhew staff shows them is greatly appreciated.
As Circle’s Camp Director, Lindsey Collins, explains, “It is a privilege to have a sleepover with our Teen Adventure Program campers at Mayhew’s Base Lodge. We are forever grateful for their continued support and the ability to use their space each win- ter.”
may also come in just to talk to Jack and make a friend in him. Gauvreau tells me that “the age ranges from six to eleven, and some three or four-year-olds will come in and talk with Jack as well. She also tells me that a group of fifth-graders will come in every week and that the li- brary will eventually have a high school event with Jack.” It’s no doubt a popular program, and the kids love it.
“It’s such a pleasure that peo- ple love Jack. It’s nice to see peo- ple leave the library with smiles on their faces because Jack made their day,” Jacques tells me. Claire also mentions how “rewarding the whole experi- ence is, and she foresees them doing this for a long time as long as Jack stays happy!” After talking with Claire, it seems that Jack truly loves doing what he does! Jacques says, “He’s a big part of this team, and I just lis- ten to what he tells me to do!”
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