Kelvin was wearing a distinctive purple vest sporting his name and pawprint, along with the Reader Dog Downeast logo, and a purple leash. He took his place with the children on the floor of the cozy children's reading room, settling onto a multi-striped beach towel placed for him by Ms. Penn. The pajama-clad children gathered around, stroking and petting the amiable creature, whose amber-colored, intelligent eyes looked inquiringly into their faces.

Ms. Penn was close by, telling the children all about Kelvin and answering their eager questions. After several minutes of introductions, an adult volunteer reader took up a book and the dog and the children settled into the listening mode. That night, all the books were about animals, especially dogs. Kelvin's "favorite" book was among them - a story about dreams and nightmares.

During the 30 minutes of reading, Kelvin rested his nose on his paws and sighed several times. His eyes eventually closed, but he was obviously listening intently.

Story time ended, and the children said good-bye to Kelvin and left with their parents. Several adults, however, stayed on to learn more about Kelvin and the Reader Dog Downeast program from Ms. Penn.

Ms. Penn explained that Reader Dog-type programs are part of the larger world of therapy animals, which are used in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and various social service settings. Specifically, the Reader Dog Downeast program is affiliated with Intermountain Therapy Animals of Salt Lake City, Utah to promote Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D). The program is five years old and originated in "Dog Day Afternoons" at the Salt Lake City Library. Working from the premise that children who are below their peers in reading skills often are intimidated by reading aloud in a group, the program aims to improve literacy skills by having children read aloud to an animal - usually a dog - in a relaxed, comfortable environment.

Ms. Penn said that children find reading to an animal less intimidating - Kelvin is a comforting, nonjudgmental presence - and that research with R.E.A.D. shows that children who consistently participate show significant gains in self-confidence and achievement as readers. "You take what may have been an uncomfortable experience for them and turn it into an enjoyable one," she said.

During each session, children spend about 20 minutes with the dog: a few minutes to get acquainted, a sizable amount of time reading, and a minute or so at the end to share a treat and say good-bye. The dog's handler is present at all times, and uses various strategies - always through the animal - to facilitate the session. Although the program can work with older children, the target group is roughly ages 7 to 11, second- third- and fourth graders. "It's easier to start the program with younger readers," Ms. Penn said. The key is to create a sense of "suspended disbelief" where dogs love reading and can really help children learn. Early elementary school age children more readily accept this idea.

To become a Reader Dog, Kelvin started with a calm disposition, and himself spent some time in "school." He is a graduate of puppy kindergarten, basic and intermediate obedience classes, and a "Reading With Rover" program. He has participated in AKC Agility Trials, earning his Novice Agility Jumper, Novice Agility, and Open Agility Jumper titles. He is certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen and as a Pet Partners therapy dog with Delta Society. In addition to reading, he enjoys sleeping and eating, swimming, hiking, boating, agility and skijor (a sport where a dog in a harness is tethered to and pulls a cross-country skier).

Ms. Penn describes herself as of the human breed, a mid-life female. She is a graduate of Choate-Rosemary Hall and Mount Holyoke College. She has had a connection with Maine for 20 years; she has worked on and off over the years for The Hinckley Company. She recently had an 18-month sojourn in the Pacific Northwest, returning to MDI in October 2003.

This year, Ms. Penn and Kelvin will have been certified Reader Dog partners for 20 months, having most recently done two summer reading programs in the Pacific Northwest on San Juan Island and in north Seattle.

In May 2002, at a Pet Expo in Monroe, WA, Ms. Penn came upon a banner and booth about "Reading with Rover". "I was intrigued by the idea of combining my own love of reading and dogs and children as a volunteer in a library setting. So here I am with Kelvin in Southwest Harbor. I very much want to include therapy animals in my future," Ms. Penn says.

At the Southwest Harbor Library, look for Kelvin's "purple paw prints" leading to the second floor reading nook where he will be reading with children on Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m. by appointment. The Reader Dog program will be offered at the library through March, and beyond, perhaps even island wide, depending on participation and interest. There is a sign-up sheet at the main desk. For more information, call Ms. Penn at 244-9661, or Susan Plimpton, children's librarian, at 244-7065.

Ms. Penn also is looking for "a few good people with good dogs" to expand the Reader Dog Downeast program. The basic requirement is that the dogs have an easygoing, "mellow" disposition. An obedience background helps. Jennifer Fisk of Acadia Woods Kennel in Bar Harbor has offered training space for a potential therapy dog class this spring or fall. For more information, please call Ms. Penn. -back to top of page