For children learning to read or struggling with reading, a friendly dog can be a great book sharing companion.

As part of the PAWS for Reading program at Atglen Public Library (APL), children may read to a trained therapy dog on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Children, who may register for a 15-minute session, can bring a book from home or choose one from the library.

On Dec. 12, Penny, a 9-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, was on hand at the library with her handler, Angela Pruss of Oxford, who is a high school guidance counselor. The pair also visits the North East Library and the Elkton Library, both located in Cecil County, Md.

The idea behind the program is to allow children to read in a stress-free environment. "She is a nonjudgmental listener," said Pruss. "I tell the kids that if they struggle with reading, (Penny) can't read at all, so she doesn't mind."

She said that Penny's size may be intimidating to children but that once they get to know her, the fear goes away. "She is a big, beefy dog, but she is very sweet and gentle," said Pruss. "Some of the kids are apprehensive, but they sit down, and she flops down next to them, and they read, and she gets petted. It's a win-win for everybody."

Pruss added that children with any level of reading ability may participate. "Some read just fine, but their parents bring them to get them used to a dog, so there is a double benefit," she said.

Penny and Pruss were trained, tested and certified through PAWS for People; PAWS stands for pet-assisted visitation volunteer services. "We certify as a team together. I am the only one who can take her out to do activity," noted Pruss.

Pruss first completed a series of classes with her golden retriever, who passed away before the pair could go out to work in the community. "I really enjoyed the process and was looking forward to doing the work with PAWS, so I decided to take Penny,' she said. "She is a laid-back, very compliant and lovely kind of dog. She is calm and nothing fazes her."

She said that Penny is still able to help others even though she came from an abusive situation. "We adopted her when she was 7 years old through Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue. She a was breeding momma (in a puppy mill) and they were trying to get rid of her (because she could no longer give birth to puppies)," Pruss explained. "We were approved as a foster home, and my husband got her right off the farm for a foster-to-adopt."

Penny had cancerous tumors on her mammary glands but has successfully recovered from surgery, although she is missing an ear because she also had a tumor in her ear flap. "We have only had her for two years, and for the last nine months, we have been going out to the libraries and working with the kids," Pruss shared. "It's great and so much fun. The kids are adorable, and they love her."

Those who visit Penny at the APL are given one of her business cards and are asked to sign her autograph book. "She has her own business cards that say, 'I read with Penny today,' and kids can take them after they read to her," Pruss said. "She has a little 'PAWStograph' book. After they read, they will write her a note or sign the book, so she has log of the kids who read to her."

Pruss hopes to visit with other people in need of a therapy dog, such as hospital patients. "For now, we are doing the libraries because of my schedule at school. This summer we may branch out a little bit and maybe get into PAWS for People at the Helen Graham Cancer Center," she said. "They have dogs sit with people as they are getting chemo treatments."

Penny's next scheduled visit to the APL, 121 Main St., Atglen, will be on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. To reserve a spot, visit http://www.atglenpubliclibrary.org and choose "Register for Programs" on the homepage.