Get to Know A Paws-to-Read Volunteer Dog!
Paws-to-Read at the Cherrydale Branch Library has been really exciting for patrons and staff – but it’s the dog volunteers who seem to have the most fun!
Archie, his human Mindy, and young reader Aaron.
At the January Paws-to-Read, I had a chance to talk with goldern retriever Archie. He filled me in on what motivates him to volunteer, and what some of his favorite books are.
CHERRYDALE LIBRARIAN: When is your birthday?
ARCHIE: My birthday is on October 4th and I’m 4 years old.
CL: How did you get your name?
ARCHIE: My full name is Archibald Henderson and I’m named after the longest serving Marine Corps Commandant.
CL: When did you move to Arlington?
ARCHIE: My humans and I moved to Arlington from New Orleans this past summer and I’m having fun learning about Virginia.
CL: Why did you decide to join Paws-to-Read? What do you think about Paws-to-Read?
ARCHIE: I decided to join Paws-to-Read because my human is a librarian who enjoys libraries and children and knows the importance of reading. I love having the children sit with me and read and pet me.
CL: What is your favorite thing to do?
ARCHIE: My favorite thing to do is go for a jog or to a dog park.
CL: What is your favorite snack?
ARCHIE: My favorite snack is anything edible.
CL: What is your favorite book or book recommendation?
ARCHIE: I recommend Go Dog, Go! by PD Eastman for beginning readers, and Stanley’s Party by Linda Bailey for established readers or fun read-alouds.
Thanks for letting us get to know you, Archie!
The next session of Paws-to-Read at the Cherrydale Branch Library will be on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – call 703-228-6330 to sign up.
Have you been to Paws-to-Read at Cherrydale? Tell us about your favorite Paws friend!
Paws-to-Read is a partnership between the Library and PAL (People Animals Love), a local animal therapy organization. You can learn more about why reading to dogs helps children become better readers from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
As the dad of Aaron, and another ‘human friend’ of Archie, I can’t say enough about how wonderful and experience this was for my son. This was his first-ever full book that he read. (And Go Dog Go was a perfect selection.) The staff at the library were very helpful. The setting where Aaron read to Archie was comfortable and conducive to the task. And Mindy – and of course Archie – were so very, very nice to Aaron and made for the reading of his first book a success. Thanks to all involved!