Lapping It Up

continued

All library dogs are first trained as therapy dogs; Cassie makes regular visits to nursing home residents. The dogs are calm and gentle, and they’re trained to do tricks on cue, including pointing with a paw to their favorite part of a book. Bowles mostly keeps quiet, though occasionally she’ll help a child who’s stuck on a word. “It is such a privilege for me to be part of this time in their lives,” she says.   

[Originally published in December, 2008.]