Reading can be stressful for children who are struggling with it, and reading to a silent furry partner can help. It’s also just plain fun! Sign up for a 15 minute reading slot with one of our three licensed therapy dogs, Theo, Kolbe, and Charlie! Parent/guardian must sign a permission form for their child to participate.
Paws and Read Dogs:
Theo
Theo is a 6-year-old Australian Labradoodle (also called a Cobberdog). He visited the library when he was a puppy but was too little to join the Paws and Read program.
He has been waiting and waiting and now he is finally a certified therapy dog and is ready to listen to kids learning to read. He knows that when you keep trying to do something (like reading or becoming a therapy dog), you will get better and better. He is very excited to hear great stories from children. Theo’s human is Marie Robert, a retired pediatrician, who makes sure that she and Theo keep learning and playing.
Theo will be at the library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00pm.
Kolbe
Kolbe is a 12-year-old Labrador retriever and has been a therapy dog for a long time. He loves visiting people and making them feel as happy as he is. Kolbe’s human is Bob Millham, who has been working with dogs for over 20 years and loves helping dogs and people be their best.
Kolbe will be at the library on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00pm.
Charlie
Charlie is a 9-year-old English Setter who’s been a therapy dog since he was 1. His mellow personality and kind heart has brought comfort and delight to many–in schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. He always enjoys a good book (he has long ago stopping chewing them and now prefers being read to). Charlie’s human moms are Robin Baslaw and Susan Smith who love him dearly.
Charlie visits the library on Thursdays from 4:00-5:00pm.
Aubrey
Aubrey is an 11-year-old keeshond and miniature schnauzer mix and loves participating in the library’s Paws & Read program with her handler Jane Olsen. Aubrey is a rescue from the streets of Houston, Texas where she was placed in a home for care and rehabilitation. From Aubrey’s human family:
“We were blessed to adopt Aubrey at seven months old. She has a big heart for a small girl and is very sweet. She enjoys treats and saying hello to everyone she meets. Aubrey looks forward to daily walks, car rides, boat rides, and volunteering. She also loves to chase anything that moves in her yard, even though the critters are too quick to catch.”
Aubrey visits the library on Fridays from 4:00-5:00pm.
Please reserve a spot by calling the library (203) 453-8282 or stop by the children’s department to reserve your 15-minute reading spot ahead of time. You may register for multiple days, but only one slot per day. Open to ages 5 & up who are reading independently.
An adult must accompany the child and wait nearby while the child is reading, but does not need to sit in on the actual session. All readers must check in at the children’s desk inside the library before reading to the dog. If you cannot make your session for any reason, please call us to cancel so we can open up the spot for other children, as spaces are limited.