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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Kristina and Julia read stories they picked out to therapy dog Roxie on Jan. 31 at the Poland library.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Julia pet Roxie, a therapy dog, at the Poland library on Jan. 31 as her sister read a book to Roxie.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Kristina read a book she picked out to Roxie, a therapy dog, at the Poland library on Jan. 31.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Once a month a furry friend visits the Poland library to bond with children as they read books to her.
On Jan. 31, Roxie, a therapy dog registered with Therapy Dogs International, came to the library and kept children company. Roxie stays at the library for around two hours and children can sign up in 15-minute intervals to read whatever books they want to her.
Roxie has been a licensed therapy dog for two years and likes to visit different places in the community. Angela Alexandrides, Roxie’s owner, said Roxie loves visiting the children.
“Right now we are here and we go to nursing homes,” said Alexandrides.
The children love coming to the library and being able to pet and lay around with Roxie as they read different stories they picked out.
Some children pick books from the library while others bring in their own favorite books.
Alexandrides said they look forward to coming to the library each month and are looking into trying to go to the terminal children’s unit at hospitals. When the children see Roxie, they get excited to be able to play with her and pet her.