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 licensed therapy dogs: Theo, Oliver, Lilly, and Charlie! Parent/guardian must sign a permission form for their child to participate.
Paws and Read Dogs:
Theo
Theo is a 7-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 mom 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.
Newman
Newman is a 6-year-old black lab with a happy, lovable personality who loves to be around people of any age. He loves to cuddle and craves attention and getting pets and hugs. He and his dad, John Brissette, recently became a therapy team and so far have visited high schools, but are excited to now visit families at the library. Newman is happy to go wherever and whenever someone needs cheering up.
Newman will be at the library Thursdays from 4:15-5:15pm.
Oliver
Oliver is a 8-year-old Brittany dog with a happy, gentle presence perfectly suited to being a therapy dog. He loves learning new things and is a great listener. Oliver can’t wait to hear all the stories the children will read to him and help kids learn to love reading. Oliver’s human mom is Care Goodstal-Spinks, who loves her fur-child dearly.
Oliver visits the library on Tuesdays 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.