Sophie’s attention appears to be wandering.
Maybe it’s the book — the book being read in the meeting room of Philomath Community Library is called “Play, Kitty.” Sophie, not being a cat, seems to be more interested in a game of peekaboo between 4-year-old Charlotte Goldstein and Sophie’s handler, Angelyn Voss.
But Sophie, a 2-1/2-year-old Cavalier, Havanese and Shih Tzu mix, soon settles back down onto Voss’ lap, even as Charlotte bubbles over with energy.
Sophie is a R.E.A.D. dog, part of the national Reading Education Assistance Dog program, in which children practice their reading skills with an animal. Sometimes, a child can read aloud to a dog; other times, all present listen as the dog’s handler reads.
R.E.A.D. dogs like Sophie are registered therapy dogs that go with their handlers to locations like schools, nursing homes and public libraries such as the Philomath branch of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system.
After a COVID-induced absence of a few years, the R.E.A.D. program has returned to the Philomath library at 1050 Applegate St. Handlers and dogs set up shop in the meeting room on the third Tuesday of each month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and await all comers.
Katey Noel, the community library specialist with the Philomath branch, said the monthly R.E.A.D. sessions resumed in September and typically attract 10 or so children each time.
“It’s wonderful,” Noel said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to connect.”
The idea is that the experience helps boost children’s confidence in their reading and communication skills. And the dogs provide a calming, accepting presence.
Voss, who taught in public schools in Corvallis for years before retiring, was sold on the R.E.A.D. program after watching how students in her classrooms reacted to the dogs.
“That’s what got me interested in the program,” she said. “Kids can read risk-free. It’s really magic.”
After retiring, she got Sophie. “She turned out to be such a sweet dog,” Voss said, and she started thinking that Sophie might have the right temperament to be a therapy dog.
Sophie and Voss went through training to become certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a Wyoming-based nonprofit organization. The R.E.A.D. sessions at the library aren’t Sophie’s only gig — she also has worked in nursing homes and at Oregon State University, in events aimed at de-stressing students. Sophie started with the R.E.A.D. program about a year ago.
During her December date at the Philomath library, Sophie stayed calm but occasionally would hop off a lap: “She’s probably looking for a T-R-E-A-T,” Voss said, spelling the word out so as not to tip off Sophie.
Treats were provided — and Sophie got the opportunity to showcase some of her other skills, such as dancing on her hind legs and rolling over. Sophie also can jump through hoops, but Voss didn’t bring one to the December session. She vowed to bring a hoop to a later session at the Philomath library.
During the December R.E.A.D. session, 10-year-old Chloe Baldwin and her sibling, 5-year-old Jude, were the day’s first attendees. Chloe and Jude, along with Voss, took turns reading and listening to a couple of picture books, “Me & Dog” and “Emma Every Day: Dog Watch.”
In the latter book, Emma, who is deaf, babysits a neighbor’s dog for a weekend. The early chapter book gave Chloe, who knows some American Sign Language, a chance to demonstrate the ASL sign for “brave,” among other words.
Jude recited the alphabet and got a high-five from Voss.
Later, 4-year-old Charlotte and Voss read the book about the playful kitten and then switched to a book titled “My First Puppy.”
“You are a great reader,” Voss told Charlotte.
The children (and maybe some of the adults as well) get to take home goodies after their visits, including a pair of trading cards featuring photos and facts about Sophie. (Her favorite food: blueberries.)
As for Voss, the R.E.A.D. program gives her another opportunity to work with children, and she’s enjoying it.
“I’m back with kids now, and I love it,” she said. “It’s my jam. I love it. It’s my happiness. … I could be doing this every day.”
The next session of the R.E.A.D. program in Philomath is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. There is no charge to attend.
