Every month at the Holt-Delhi branch of the Capital Area District Library, young readers gather for an experience that transforms reading practice into something magical: the chance to share their favorite stories with four-legged friends who are always patient, never judgmental, and genuinely happy to listen.
The Read-to-a-Dog program represents what Public Services Librarian Kat Van Halst describes as “library bread and butter”, a creative approach to bringing people through the doors and fostering a love of reading. While it might surprise some to learn that therapy dog reading programs are common in libraries nationwide, the concept addresses a fundamental goal: making reading an experience children genuinely look forward to.
“The biggest benefit is always simply a reason to walk through the door,” Van Halst explains. “We see a lot of familiar faces, but we also see families who might not necessarily regularly use the library but are willing to make a special trip for this. Getting families into the building is the first step to making some library magic and going from library kid to life-long reader.”
Currently, therapy dogs from Buddy’s Pals visit the library for the monthly sessions, providing young readers with attentive audiences who never interrupt or correct pronunciation. Previously, one library employee even brought her own therapy dog each month, which helped foster an ongoing relationship that the children eagerly anticipated. “It was wonderful to see children start to recognize their furry friend every time they came, and even ask about them in between programs,” Van Halst recalls.
The program’s structure is deliberately open-ended. Children can bring books from home or choose from the library’s extensive children’s collection that surrounds them during the session. “Kids are allowed to choose any book in the library to read to the dogs, just like they’re able to choose any book in the library to check out!” Van Halst notes. “No matter the reader, we’ve got a book for you.”
For Van Halst, programs like Read-to-a-Dog serve a purpose that extends far beyond a single hour of reading practice. “Especially with a younger audience, simply creating a habit of reading is a major goal,” she explains. “The more we can instill a love of reading, the more likely that is to carry through into adolescence and adulthood.”
The program adds what Van Halst calls “a level of excitement to the experience of visiting the library and sitting down to read a book.” That excitement—the library magic that comes from reading to a gentle, attentive dog—is what creates lasting memories and keeps families coming back long after their children have outgrown the program.
Read-to-a-Dog sessions are held monthly at the Holt-Delhi branch of CADL. For upcoming dates and times, visit the Holt-Delhi library event website at https://www.cadl.org/events/all-events?&campus=8286 or contact the library directly at (517)-694-9351