This program pairs young readers with trained therapy dog-and-handler teams, developing their reading skills in a non-judgmental environment.

Readers register in-advance for a 30 minute session. During the session, the reader chooses books from library shelves and then reads aloud to a trained therapy dog in a designated section of the children?s area. The dog?s handler encourages the child to interact with the dog and may offer reading help if the child requests it.

Interested readers can register beginning Tuesday, December 1, 2009 by stopping by at the Youth Services Reference Desk, or calling at (503) 644-0043 x112.

This program will be held every Tuesday evening from January 5 through May 25, 2010. Sessions begin at 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

Please note: Because of the popularity of this program, readers are asked to register for two sessions only.