By Olivia DeWan, contributor
On Thursday afternoons at the Massanutten Regional Library in downtown Harrisonburg, young readers gather around wagging tails for Dogs 2 Read 2, or D2R2, a program where service dogs become fluffy, judgment-free reading buddies.
“The dogs have been coming here since around 2013,” Denise Munro, the Head of Youth Services at Massanutten Library, said. “There are children who come specifically to see certain dogs. They get very excited to look at who is here, then bounce around saying, ‘Oh, it’s Gus today,’ or ‘Oh, it’s Rigel.’”
D2R2 partners with dogs trained and certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, ensuring the pups are gentle, calm, and ready for visitors of all ages.
“The kids very much have their favorite dogs,” Munro said. “As a parent you’re used to listening to your child read and say, “oh hold on go back” or “that’s not how you pronounce that,’ but dogs never say those things. The dog just listens.”
The library brings in a different pup each week. Rigel, a Shiloh Shepherd, is one of the children’s favorites. Kids choose a book, then sit with the dogs and read aloud for as long as they want.
“They [the kids] really enjoy it,” Joy Hursey, Rigel’s handler, said. “Sometimes they just want to pet and play with him, but others sit down and just read to him. Rigel really loves it.”
While the event is hosted in the children’s section and encouraged for grades K–5, anyone is welcome to visit the dogs.
“I just love seeing him [Rigel] so happy,” Hursey said. “It’s also amazing to see some of the same kids coming over and over again.”
In addition to building reading confidence, D2R2 helps children become more comfortable around animals.
“There was this one family who came a week ago, and the children were afraid of dogs,” Hursey said. “The parents wanted the exposure, and it was nice to see the kids start at a distance but slowly creep up.”
Munro said that it’s not only children who get to enjoy time with the furry friends, but the staff at the library as well, who always look forward to seeing the dogs.
“The dogs are such morale boosters. The staff always look forward to Thursday afternoons,” Munro said. “They actually get the chance to pet the dogs first at the front door.”
In addition, Munro said that parents give positive feedback about D2R2, and that it is especially special to see the kids come to interact with the dogs while building their confidence.
“There are parents that specifically come on Thursdays to introduce their children to dogs and the idea of dogs,” Munro said. “I’ve seen families who show up and help their kids pick out a book and get in line to see the dogs. I’ve also seen families and children who come on a regular basis to help build their confidence and practice [with reading].”
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