Read to a Dog
Pima County Public Library invites you to come read to a dog.
Reading out loud improves reading skills. Animals are ideal reading companions because they create a relaxed, comfortable, and safe environment.
When can my child Read to a Dog?
View calendar for times when you can read to a dog.
How does Read to a Dog work?
Children come to library during Read to a Dog and select a book to read to a furry friend. All of the dogs and handlers who participate have been certified as therapy dogs by an accredited organization.
Why should my child Read to a Dog?
This program is designed to allow kids the chance to read to a non-judgmental listener, one who will accept the story exactly as they read it.
For many children, this allows them a rare chance to experience stress free reading. Once they are in this situation, children find themselves relaxing and having fun while reading! They come to think of themselves as good readers, which helps their self esteem and makes them eager to read. And eager readers practice their reading more often, leading to improved reading skill.
All of these elements work together to increase a child's motivation to read, which is an essential element in becoming a successful reader.
Read more about our Read to a Dog program in the Tucson Citizen.
Meet the Dogs
- Lucy
- Dusenberry-River Branch Library
- Lucy is a beautiful Australian shepherd.
Age: 7.
Education: Petsmart obedience training, passed Canine Good Citizenship test at Humane Society, certified therapy dog through Humane Society.
Volunteer activities: Children's Rehabilitative Services (past work, not current); PAWS for Reading program at Bonillas School, TMC patient/staff visits, and of course, the reading program at the library.
Favorite activities: Meeting new people, visiting new places. Swimming and doing belly flops into the pool to catch a toy. Car rides. Taking walks/hikes. Playing with our other dog Chaco. Tug-of-war. Eating. Sleeping. - Noelle
- Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library
- Noelle, the therapy dog, comes to the library with her handler, Peggy Casey. She loves to be read to and no one can pet her unless they read to her. This is part of a national program sponsored by Therapy Dogs International, Inc. and has been proven to help children learn to read and improve their reading skills.
- BB
- Flowing Wells Branch Library
- Meet BB, a beautiful and gentle yellow labrador retriever, who will visit our library each Tuesday from 4-5pm and listen as children take turns reading to her. BB is a gentle, 10-year-old yellow labrador retriever who loves to give kisses, shake hands and speaks English and Spanish.
- Cody
- Geasa-Marana Branch Library
- Cody is a five year-old Golden Retriever. He is very gentle, affectionate, and has a lot of love for everyone he meets. When he was just a puppy, he won a certificate for carrying a raw egg in his mouth for 25 yards without cracking the egg. His favorite pastime is swimming, swimming and swimming. In 2002, he swam in all FIVE of the Great Lakes - even ice cold Lake Superior!!! We are very excited to participate in the Read to a Dog program offered through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
- Boomerang
- Himmel Park Branch Library
- Boomerang, aka "Boomer," comes to the Himmel Park Branch Library with his handlers, Charlene Peters and Marty Jansen to listen to stories.
- Sadie
- Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library
- Sadie is a friendly and happy dog who loves to be read to by children. She is 7 years old and her birthday is in September. She is a Golden Retriever and Black Labrador mix. Sadie has been a therapy dog for three years. Sadie loves to eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables and will often have a snack of these healthy foods in between being read to by the children.
- Bubba Joe Bray
- Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library
- Bubba, a very loving and kind dog is also a very accomplished young man. He earned his AKC Championship before he was 2 years old and then went on to higher education at Canine College in Kirkland, Wa. Bubba decided to become a therapy dog at age 4. He received his training at Healing Paws, Inc. in Woodinville, Wa. and is certified by the Delta Society. He and his mom, Judy became part of the Evergreen Medical Center volunteer program specializing in hospice work with children and adults. He earned his gold pin for service in 2007. Bubba's new adventures have taken him to Children's Room at the Joyner-Green Valley Library where he listens to children reading stories. Bubbas favorite things are being with people and having his picture taken. He will smile for you!
- Nikolai
- Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library
- Nikolai is a beautiful 9 year old black, white and gray Siberian Husky. This is his 5th year working as a therapy dog. Every month, he visits St Joe's and Tucson Medical Center in Tucson and several nursing homes in the Green Valley area. He loves being petted, meeting people and visiting new places. Nikolai doesn't bark much, but like all huskies, he howls when he is happy or wants to tell you something. His favorite snacks are apples and dog cookies. Nikolai goes on his morning walk every day and looks forward to car rides with his owner Janie. Come to the Green Valley library and read to Nikolai! He's an awesome listener!
- Terren, "Mr. T"
- Miller-Golf Links Branch Library
- Come and read for fun to Terren, aka "Mr. T" - a gentle, trained dog who, with his owner Michael Bloker.
- Jesse
- Miller-Golf Links Branch Library
- Jesse is a Labrador Retriever who is a certified Therapy Dog, her handler is Barbara Taylor. Jesse is has also passed the Good Citizens Test in 2007 and is listed in the AKC archives.
- Elle
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Elle, (pronounced ell-ee), a rescued Yorkshire Terrier, loves to reward children who read to her with kisses. Elle and her handler, Diane, share a home with other rescued dogs, too!
- Keiko
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Keiko (pronounced cake-oh) is a unique dog of unknown mixture who was rescued from the streets of Tucson by her handler, Carol. Keiko's most distinctive feature is her ears, which stick straight out to the sides and have curls on the ends!
- Maggie
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Maggie, a West Highland Terrier, is a veteran therapy dog who visits hospitals and other places to share her calm and gentle presence. She and her handler, Trish, love the McDuff books, since Maggie and McDuff look alike!
- Mina
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Mina, (short for Stamina), a Pug, rolls over and plays 'dead' at the 'bang' of a finger! Mina and her handler, Naomi, love to give a big 'high five' to kids who read to them!
- Pumpkin
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Pumpkin, a Papillion whose handler is also Naomi, is energetic and friendly, and loves to reward readers with the opportunity to scratch her belly!
- Roxy
- Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
- Roxy, a Welsh Terrier, spends her time between the Old Pueblo (Tucson) and the Big Apple (New York). Books about city life and skyscrapers can make Roxy and her handler, Sybil, very nostalgic!
- Travis
- Oro Valley Public Library
- Travis is a lovable golden retriever who is gentle and a very good listener. He snuggles with you while you read a story and begs for more!
- Spirit
- Oro Valley Public Library
- Spirit is just like her name: she is eager to listen while you read and loves to interact with you when you are finished reading.
- Daisy May
- Oro Valley Public Library
- Daisy May is a small dog who is encourages you while you read to her. She is a polite, quiet listener, too.
- Lady
- Oro Valley Public Library
- Lady is a beautiful Sheltie who will make you want to keep reading and reading! She loves to hear gentle stories and listen to your voice as you read aloud.
- Coco
- Quincie Douglas Branch Library
- Coco "the library dog" has some tales to go with her tail! She was born on Valentine's Day and has an interesting name: Coco - for toasted coconut, the color of her coat, and Pele - for the Hawaiian fire goddess. CocoPele is also like the name Kokopeli the flute playing god of the ancient Arizonan native people. Coco loves the children who read to her and the books too especially when they are full of animals and fun!
- Kate
- Quincie Douglas Branch Library
- Kate is a black, flat coated retriever, two years old. She likes playing Frisbee, visiting friends, swimming, hiking, car rides and being with children. She dislikes getting her nails trimmed. When she comes to the library she wears her own little backpack, and inside her backpack are her very own business cards with her photo that she offers to everyone who reads to her. She is very calm and rests quietly while children read.
- Sade
- Santa Rosa Branch Library
- Sade (pronounced SAY-dee), a 9 year old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix, was found in the desert in 2000. She was very sick. Her handler, Leta and her vet helped nurse her back to health. She's now a healthy, happy dog who loves having her belly scratched and her head rubbed. At 70 lbs, she's big enough for hugs and also likes to be read to. She has a sister called Lilly who is a miniature dachshund - Lilly thinks Sade is her mother.
- Penny
- Woods Memorial Branch Library
- Penny was found on the streets of Tucson very early in 2007. She was very thin and was nursing a litter of 7 newborn puppies. Luckily, Penny and her puppies were fostered by a wonderful family through the Animal Rescue Foundation of Tucson. Penny was then adopted by her current mommy, dog trainer Crystal Saling. All of Penny's puppies eventually went to loving homes as well.
Penny and Crystal visit UMC pediatrics, the Woods Memorial Library, and Gospel Rescue Mission through a program called Gabriel's Angels.
Penny's favorite quote: "Yeah whatever, just pet me."
Penny's favorite food: Cheese and Liverwurst
Penny's outlook on life: Everyone deserves a good belly rub!
Penny's favorite place: Wherever her mommy is.
How to get a dog/handler team certified for Read to a Dog
All dogs and their handlers who volunteer for the library's Read to a Dog program must be certified therapy dogs.
Three organizations that provide this certification are:
- Therapy Dogs International
- Delta Society
- Humane Society of Southern Arizona sometimes offers Pet VIP programs. Call the Companions for Life Center at 795.6225
Each of these organizations offers certification only a few times a year. Check the websites to see when and where in Arizona the next certification will be. The websites also list all the commands the dog must be able to do. A therapy dog is a really well behaved dog, not a specially trained service animal. The dogs must also be calm and people focused.