Story Time: D is for Dogs: Special Service Dogs Edition
For a lot of children, meeting dogs and others animals can be an exciting experience. However, if they are unprepared for that introduction, it can lead to an undesirable experience, especially with service animals. Check out some of the tips and books below for teaching your child about assistance animals… what they do, how to approach them, and why they are so important.
Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Room.
Ages 3-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Safety is a key part of respecting animals. Some important things to consider teaching your child when approaching an animal could include:
Teach children to approach pets slowly and let them sniff first to show respect and prevent sudden reactions.
Always ask permission before touching unfamiliar animals to ensure safety.
Use gentle strokes, avoiding sensitive areas like the belly, paws, mouth, and face, and stop immediately if the pet shows discomfort.
Safe spots to pet are the sides, behind the ears, and along the back.-lifelineanimal.org – https://lifelineanimal.org/understanding-animal-behavior-teaching-kids-pet-safety-cues/
Activity
After going over the safety rules of how to approach an animal with your child, use a plush animal or puppet to practice before meeting a real animal.
Books Presented
Evie is a Dog, NOT a Robot: Understanding Assistance Dogs by Jennifer Gravrok
Suzie has been dreaming of this day forever — she’s finally meeting Evie, her very own assistance dog! Evie is smart, kind, and specially trained to help Suzie with her disability. Together, they’re about to learn what it really means to be a team.
From opening doors to picking up dropped toys, Evie can do amazing things. But when Evie gets distracted by new smells, squirrels, or just wants to play, Suzie learns an important lesson: even the best-trained dogs aren’t robots—they’re loving, loyal friends who need patience, understanding, and time.
As Suzie and Evie learn to work together, they discover that teamwork is built on trust, laughter, and a lot of treats!
Boop! by Bea Birdsong
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Little Dog, Little Dog
Little dog, little dog; come out and play!
What color house are you in today?
Are you in the _(color)_ house?
Paws On the Dog
Tune: Wheels on the Bus
The paws on the dog go trot, trot, trot.
Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot.
The paws on the dog go trot, trot, trot.
All through the town.
The ears on the dog go flop, flop, flop…
The nose on the dog goes sniff, sniff, sniff…
The tongue on the dog goes lick, lick, lick…
The tail on the dog goes wag, wag, wag…
The people with the dogs go, “SIT!”
Source: King County Library System
Crafts and Activities
Service Dog Activity Book
Heart Shaped Dog Craft
Additional Books
Service Animals by E.C. Andrews
I'm a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog by Michal Babay
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny by Samantha Cotterill
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