Paws to Read Program

What’s better than curling up with a good book?  Cuddling up with a Paws to Read Therapy Dog and a good book!  Children are invited to come and meet some of these special dogs at their local library once a month (see the schedule below), and have a good time.

You can read to Cooper, a Labradoodle, or Terry Parker’s Newfoundland at the Verdi Library. There’s Cody, a happy Golden Retriever ; Sierra, a little white fluffy dog that will “do a little dance”, or Casey the German Short-hair Pointer with the very soft velvet ears at the South Valley’s Library.

Although there are a variety of breeds in the Paws to Read Program, all dogs have a lot in common. They are good-natured, interact well with people and other dogs, and have been through training, testing, and an orientation program with their owner.

Many children bond with the dogs and return the following month to read to their special friend. Young people will find quality children’s literature, available for the beginning reader through upper-grade level material. There are many favorite authors, chapter books, fiction, non-fiction, and theme stories to pique their interest. After reading the story to a therapy dog, the book is given as a gift from the PAWS to READ Program.

The books provided to the children during their visits at the library program are purchased through fund-raisers or donations. During the holiday season, Paws to Read volunteers can be found at Border’s Book Store gift wrapping, with all tips earmarked for the Paws to Read book fund.

If interested in obtaining information about joining the PAWS to READ Program, please call 826-5199 and leave a message so someone can contact you.