Dear Reader Dog Kids,
I’ll be taking a break for a month or so to have a little more cancer treatment. I am feeling very well and have an excellent prognosis. That’s a big word! It means that MJ and my doctors are sure that I’ll be fine. They take such good care of me that I’m not worried a bit. I will miss you though. I hope you’ll practice reading every night and have some great new stories for me when I get back! I’d love to hear from you too. Just give a card or message to one of the librarians and they’ll get it to me. Happy winter reading!
Love,
Kelvin
Follow the trail of purple paw prints in the Southwest Harbor Public Library on most Wednesday afternoons to find out why. The paw prints will lead you to a quiet nook in the library where Kelvin, the Reader Dog, is snuggled down on his purple-striped beach towel next to a cushion he thoughtfully provides for the children who read with him.
Kelvin's friend and handler, MJ Penn is there too. Together, child, friend and dog read. Kelvin is a still-life picture of listening. His eyes are fixed on the small child reading with him. Sometimes his eyes close for a moment, but you know that he is still listening. And somehow, even if you are having a little trouble getting the hang of reading, you become a better reader. It is fun to read with Kelvin. He is a comfortable friend and does not judge the reader. MJ is there for the difficult bits.
Kelvin, a six-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, whose fur is a delicious light brown, is a certified therapy dog and part of a nation-wide program which started with Dog Day Afternoons at the Salt Lake City Library. Kelvin is a Reading Education Assistance Dog – R.E.A.D. - and has been carefully trained as a listener. AND he is one of three R.E.A.D. dog in Maine!
Kelvin started in puppy kindergarten, went on to basic and intermediate obedience classes and a "Reading With Rover" program. He is fond of sleeping, eating, swimming, hiking, boating and many more outdoor activities. His favorite book is about dreaming and nightmares, so he understands the things that frighten people.
Click on Kelvin's purple button to visit his and MJ's Reader Dog Downeast web site. There you can find out all about Kelvin and MJ's education including Intermountain Therapy Animals of Salt Lake City with which they are affiliated.
Elementary-aged readers on Mt. Desert Island may sign up at the Library for an appointment from four to six on Wednesdays to read with Kelvin. Please call the Library at 244-7065, or drop by, to sign up for a session.
Everything that Kelvin uses, his leash, his Reader Dog vest, the handles on his canvas tote bag, and, well...just everything, is purple. Even the tablecloth at Kelvin’s birthday party, given to him last December by his Reader Kids at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, was purple!