Six-year-old Kai Luu read a book aloud to a certified therapy dog at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury one night a few weeks ago. As Luu read, Abby, a Goldendoodle, stretched out on the carpeting and relaxed.

Luu’s dad, Thuan, listened and helped his son break up tough words into smaller, familiar words to make them easier to pronounce.

Luu insists that his dad sign him up for a reading slot each Tuesday evening. The program helps children in grades K-7 practice reading skills in 15-minute sessions with a canine companion.

“Dogs are friendly and non-judgmental and are glad to spend time with you,” librarian Liz Gonzalez explained with a smile. “Also, therapy dogs have some training to meet and interact with a wide variety of people.”

Gonzalez said the program is very popular and offered year round, with some seasonal breaks. Depending on interest, four kids an hour read to Abby. On nights with two therapy dogs more children get a chance to read to the canine listeners.

Librarian Theresa Alessi added that there usually are kids at the library happy to fill in if someone who signed up misses their slot. The therapy dog and owner both volunteer their time. “Towards the end of the semester we see many more kids, even older ones,” she said. “Just mingling with the therapy dog helps them de-stress.”