Rachael Montgomery, 7, a Sunrise Drive Elementary school first-grader, reads to Lucy, Ellen Goldman's therapy dog, during a Read to a Dog program at the Dusenberry-River Center Library.

Related articles:

Dogs have own library story times Library information Library information Library information Library information Library information Library information Library information Library information

Other articles by Alexis Blue:

They light up a room Gargantuan garages Shopping out of the box Doing their part Take a side (table, that is) Classy cocktail shorts Counters that exude character For you, Dad! Brighten room with fun lamp Putting memories on canvas

Driver/Transportation
DRIVERS Production and Manufacturing
QUALITY MANAGER General
Preferred Capital Management, Inc
Apartment Mgr/Maintenance Trades/Construction
innovative manufacturing
CNC LATHE SETUP Driver/Transportation
Pioneer Landscaping
Dieel Fleet Mechanic General
VALLEY PROTECTIVE SERVICES
SECURITY OFFICERS General
.
MYSTERY SHOPPERS

It's not often pets are allowed in the library. But at the Dusenberry-River Center Branch Library, Australian shepherd Lucy is a welcome guest with an important job — helping children practice reading.

Lucy is the newest addition to the popular Read to a Dog program in Tucson libraries. The program started at the Himmel Park Library in October and has expanded to the Miller-Golf Links Library as well as the Dusenberry-River Center Library at 5605 E. River Road.

It is modeled after similar programs nationwide that use certified therapy dogs to help new readers and children of all ages practice their reading skills on an uncritical audience.

"The dog is just happy, and is not going to make any comments on pronunciation difficulties or whatever," said Susan Hassig, children's librarian at Dusenberry-River. "It's just the child and the dog relaxing, and they can just focus on reading and not worry."

Gentle, people-loving Lucy spent her first day on the job, Thursday, on the arduous task of lounging on the floor while eager little ones stroked her fur and read her stories.

Bridget Baumann, 4, was overwhelmed by the chance to read to a dog, and her mom said she practiced for three weeks on the family's two Dobermans and her little brother in anticipation of the big day.

Appropriately, the preschooler shared a story from the "Clifford the Big Red Dog" series with her four-legged audience. And though she is just starting to learn to read, she used her imagination to fill in the blanks and made sure to show Lucy all the pictures.

"She was nice," Bridget said of her new canine friend. "I got to pet her before I read the story, and she really liked my stories."

Baumann said her daughter has shown a new interest in reading since learning about the program, and she plans to take her to visit Lucy at the library every week.

Ellen Goldman, who owns the 6-year-old Australian shepherd, said Lucy enjoys her job as much as the children do.

"I think this dog was put here to have people pet her and to go visiting, because that's her favorite thing to do," said Goldman, 56.

Lucy became a certified therapy dog through the Humane Society last year after passing rigorous tests to show she could handle herself appropriately around people and other dogs in social settings, Goldman said.

In addition to taking part in the library program, Lucy also makes regular visits to patients at Tucson Medical Center and to reading students at Bonillas Basic Curriculum Magnet School, Goldman said.

During Read to a Dog sessions, Goldman is always present with the dog and the child, but she makes it a point not to comment or correct a child's reading unless asked.

"It allows kids to read to somebody that's non-judgmental," said Goldman, a semi-retired audiologist. "If reading to Lucy helps them to enjoy reading and develop a love for books, I think that's the best thing I could do."

While Read to a Dog generally targets new readers or children struggling with reading, all ages and skill levels are welcome, Hassig said.

Jodie Montgomery learned about the program when visiting the Foothills library last Thursday with her 7- and 10-year-old daughters.

Montgomery said her 7-year-old, a first-grader at Sunrise Drive Elementary School, has struggled with her reading confidence, but her nerves seemed to melt away when she cuddled up next to Lucy with a favorite book.

"I think any way a child can get confidence when learning to read is good," Montgomery said. "And animals can bring a lot of joy to kids."

The Dusenberry-River Center Library's Read to a Dog program takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday. For more information, call 791-4979 or go to www.library.pima.gov/locations/river online.