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It sounds too cute to be true. But it’s a real thing. Throughout the country, libraries are turning to canines to help children who may be struggling with their reading.
The dogs are typically certified as therapy dogs through programs like the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Therapy Dogs International. Certification requires that the dog passes a test of its friendliness, manners, and handling skills.
Really, though, the main quality of a good library dog is basic canine laziness. She should be able to chill out while kids read to her in 10-20 minute segments. If she can follow along with the story, that’s a perk.
I went down to the Ypsilanti District Library to meet my local library dog, an English Bulldog named Otis. Over the course of an hour he listened to six different kids read stories. He also dozed off 4-5 separate times (by my count), and did a lot of snorting.(Subscribe to the Stateside podcast oniTunes,Google Play, or with thisRSS link)
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Courtesy of Novi Public Library /
The Novi Public Library has a pack of library dogs. These three, left to right, are Tooper, Carly and Sherlock.
Courtesy of Livonia Public Library /
Max is a beagle-lab mix. He listens to kids read one Saturday per month at the Livonia Public Library.
Courtesy of Sterling Heights Public Library /
Tippy, Sterling Heights Public Library
Courtesy of Charlevoix Public Library /
Ginger, Charlevoix Public Library
Courtesy of Westland Public Library /
Buddy, Westland Public Library
Courtesy of Royal Oak Public Library /
Moose, Royal Oak Public Library
Courtesy of Kathy Radzibon /
Zoe Redbird Radzibon listens to stories at the Presque District Library. She's pictured here with her owner, Kathy Radzibon, who manages the library's Onaway Branch.
Courtesy of Pinckney Community Public Library /
Ruby is one of two library dogs at the Pinckney Community Public Library. The other is named Zoe.
Courtesy of Chelsea District Library /
Bella, Chelsea District Library
Courtesy of Frankenmuth Wickson District Library /
Jethro, Frankenmuth Wickson District Library. He almost always wears a tie of some sort.
Courtesy of Salem-South Lyon District Library /
Wynston, Salem-South Lyon District Library
Courtesy of Saline District Library /
Vedder, Saline District Library
Couresty of Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library /
Megan, Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library in Imlay City
Courtesy of Highland Township Public LIbrary /
The Highland Township Public Library has had its "Reading to Rover" program for over ten years. This is Lily, one of the program's previous library dogs.
Courtesy of Commerce Township Community Library /
Elphie, Commerce Township Community Library
Courtesy of Traverse Area District Library /
Zeb is the library dog at the Traverse Area District Library. He is pictured here with his handlers, Candy and Lee Gardner, and his late brother Ralphie.
Courtesy of the Peter White Public Library /
The Peter White Public Library in Marquette has three library dogs: Madison, Roxy, and Dora. Woof.
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