Trying out your new reading skills in front of other people can be intimidating! But dogs always listen and never judge, even when we make mistakes. Kids of all ages are invited to practice reading with a furry pal with the listening ear of a certified therapy dog from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
- East Asheville Library: Read to Toddy the Greyhound, Evelyn the Goldendoodle or maybe Flora the Golden Retriever on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Please visit the calendar on the website to sign up for a 15 minute turn.
- Enka-Candler Library: Read to Gracie, a three legged Great Pyrenees mix on Thursdays at 4 p.m. Please visit the library desk to sign up for your turn. You can also sign up to read to Puptart, the robot dog or Tomato the robot bird – perfect reading companions for anyone with fur or feather allergies.
- North Asheville Library: Read to Hayley the Whoodle (Wheaton terrier/poodle) and Amani the small breed mix on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm. Please visit the calendar on the website to sign up for a 15 minute turn.
The patient, nonjudgmental attention these dogs offer helps beginning, struggling, or reluctant readers gain confidence and improve reading skills. Parents will need to stay and observe, and will be asked to sign a waiver for their child to interact with the dog. All the reading dogs are child-friendly and accompanied by their trained volunteer.