Walter, a 130-pound Leonberger, basked in all the petting he received at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library as blossoming readers practiced their skills.
Read to a Dog is offered at many of the Montgomery County public libraries with the goal of enabling youngsters to practice and build their confidence when they sit down with a therapy dog and open up a book of their choosing.
“He likes dogs, and he’s just starting to read, and we thought it would encourage him,” said the mother of Bennett, who chose to read about snakes and tell Walter about his love of vipers.
Twin second graders, Lorelei and Sierra, couldn’t wait to read and pet both Walter and Rosie, who is almost 11 years old. PALS, People, Animals Love, of Washington, D.C. provides the therapy dogs and trainers.
Lorelei would love to have her own dog, “but my dad won’t let me get one,” she explained.
“They love dogs and love reading,” the twin’s mother, Rosarie Tucci, said. “Any reason to get them to read is super. This gets us to the library more than we would normally come.”
Christian Wilson, McGee children’s services librarian, said the program is geared for reluctant readers and has been ongoing for many years.
Jan. 13 was Abaigail’s first time reading to a dog. She spent a while gazing at the library shelves trying to pick the perfect book. She, like many of the readers, chose to read books about dogs or with a dog character.
She left with a handful of books to take out and a big smile, explaining, “Dogs are cute.”
Reading is better when a dog is listening at Montgomery County Public Libraries @mymcmedia @mcpl pic.twitter.com/vVu3zvp4sp
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) January 16, 2024
Photos from Read to a Dog at the Rockville Memorial Library are courtesy Montgomery County Public Libraries.
