This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Who Let the Dogs In (the Library)?

Pups a big hit with young readers.

Trevor, Mei-Mei and Tiger know exactly how to behave on their trip to the library. They get comfortable on their mats and wait for story time to start.

Cassie Albert comes into the room and starts reading a story. Mei-Mei looks at the pictures, paying close attention, wagging her tail as Cassie turns the pages.

Wait, Mei-Mei has a tail?

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mei-Mei, her brother, Tiger, and their friend, Trevor, are trained therapy dogs who visit the once a month. They are there so children can read stories to them.  They listen, never criticize or correct and give instant tail-wagging feedback.

Each dog has a reading partner for 15 minutes. The low murmur of children reading quietly with their four legged, two ears, one tail friends can be heard.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dian Thomas, owner and trainer of the three dogs, isn't quite sure what the magic is with dogs and kids and books, but she knows it works.  She points to programs all over the country, through Therapy Dogs International and other groups, that present programs like this one. In addition to Reston Regional Library, Thomas also visits Herndon Fortnightly Library and Chantilly Regional Library, where the Reading with Dogs programs are equally popular.

Trevor, Mei-Mei and Tiger are also show dogs, excelling in breed, agility and obedience. They have competed in many AKC competitions (Trevor is a champion).   Trevor is a regular at the Commonwealth Care Facilty in Fairfax and the pediatric ward at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Mary Fox, children's librarian and dog lover, is thrilled that the children respond so well to the dogs. She provides books with a dog theme available in the room, at all reading levels, though children are welcome to bring their own books as well. Due to the popularity of the program, she highly  recommends parents sign their children up for a time slot, either online or by calling/stopping in at the library.

Lucas Heishman finishes his story with Tiger, gives him a little scratch behind the ears and leaves with a big smile.

"That was fun," says Lucas.

Tiger wags his tail. He seems to agree.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?