Kassandra Vargas wants readers to know that libraries are more than just books.
Vargas, the Selah Library supervisor, refers to libraries as a hub of resources and social interactions.
Like on a recent Friday in November when a little kid ran into the Selah Library and immediately asked, “Where are the dogs?”
The Selah Library has partnered with local members of the Love on a Leash program. Young patrons can visit the library to read to the therapy dogs.
A 9-month-old boy named Joshua pets a dog named Mari at Selah Community Library Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Selah, Wash.
The Love on a Leash organization is “committed to bringing comfort, happiness and healing to more people nationwide by increasing public awareness of pet-provided therapy,” according to the group.
Rex the schnauzer, Jet the Shetland sheepdog and Mari the Labrador retriever are part of the local program.
“Therapy dogs are not service dogs,” Mari’s handler Nancy Roy said. “They are simply for petting and loving on anything.”
The difference is service dogs provide a specific medical or psychological service to one individual, added Bev Olson, Jet’s handler. “Therapy dogs spread joy everywhere.”
The therapy dogs visited the Selah Library for Books and Buddies, a new collaboration between Yakima Valley Libraries and Love on a Leash.
“You come to the library and read to trained therapy dogs,” Vargas said. “Patrons come into the kids’ room and met the dogs. We sat in a circle and read out loud to the dogs and everyone. You can read to the dogs, cuddle them. It’s very calming and you can practice your reading for improvement.”
Love on a Leash dog Rex is pictured at the Selah Community Library Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Selah, Wash.
The dogs aren’t going to judge you if you pronounce a word wrong or say something incorrectly.
“Well, if you’re 10 minutes late with dinner, they will judge you,” Roy laughed.
Books and Buddies provides a calm environment to readers to build confidence in reading skills and practice reading out loud.
“We can get the dogs to lie down and just stay,” Olson said. “They take a nap while the kid reads. It’s amazing. They’re trying to help kids build their confidence.”
Though Books and Buddies has only happened twice, Vargas said the YVL program coordinator is hoping to make it a regular event in Selah and other library branches across the Valley.
As the two organizations work on finding an ideal time and how often, both YVL and Love on a Leash are optimistic going forward.
“I think Books and Buddies is an event that is good for the community, especially if it’s at the library,” Vargas said. “We can all bond over this. And there’s a comfort. I was telling the patrons about it. Read to the certified therapy dogs and it just provides company as well.”
Tonya Hinojosa, Rex’s handler, works with children all day long, and Books and Buddies was enjoyable for her as well.
“I like being able to share my dog and add him into that mix; it is a lovely bridge,” Hinojosa said. “Watching young people love being able to enjoy literature and sharing them with my dog.”
Organizers said there are some scheduling issues to address, but are looking forward to the future of Books and Buddies.
“I feel that there’s people who would benefit from it,” Vargas said. “We can all bond over this.”
Moving forward, Vargas said to regularly check yvl.org and the library’s social media pages for future Books and Buddies and other events.
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