Children’s Reading Pet Therapy Program at River Bend Bookshop

River Bend Bookshop is delighted to offer a Children’s Reading Pet Therapy Program designed to encourage confidence, literacy, and joy through supervised interactions with certified therapy animals.

• Each reading slot is 10 minutes long.
• Readers will read 1:1 with a therapy dog from The Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
• Readers may bring their own book to read or choose a book from River Bend Bookshop.
• This is a free program with advance registration and completion of a waiver.
• This program is for readers aged 5 through 11, who are able to read comfortably on their own.

The Children’s Reading Pet Therapy Program includes opportunities for children to read aloud to certified therapy animals under the supervision of River Bend Bookshop staff and trained animal‑handling volunteers. Activities may involve sitting near, gently petting, or interacting with therapy animals in a calm, structured environment.

We are an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. At ATD, we provide testing, certification, registration, support, and insurance for members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted activities. Our objective is to form a network of caring individuals and their special dogs who are willing to share smiles and joy with people, young and old alike.

Our therapy dog teams volunteer in a wide range of settings—from airports and hospitals to schools, nursing homes, and even private homes. ATD places no restrictions on where teams can visit. Members may join local therapy dog groups, participate in national initiatives like those with the Red Cross and R.E.A.D., and may also visit alongside teams registered with other organizations.