Burgh, a Bernese mountain dog, and Daisy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, are Tail-Waggin' Tutors for a new library program of the same name. Children who may be a little self-conscious about their reading abilities can sign up to spend 10 minutes reading aloud to either of the therapy dogs.

According to marketing coordinator Linda Wilkins, the program provides the readers a captive audience, minus any criticism.

"Children who are new readers and want to practice can benefit from the one-on-one attention provided by the dog, who listens non-judgmentally to the reader," Wilkins said.

Youth services associate Carol Vernon said the library is always looking for new and unique programs to offer its readers, and the idea of having children read to therapy dogs fit that description nicely.

"In youth services, we are always interested in encouraging and supporting readers in as many was as possible," Vernon said. "The Tail Waggin' Tutors reading program was completely different from anything we've done before. Both (dog owners) were so enthusiastic about the program and their dogs that it made me really want to offer the program at the library."

June D'Anieri, Daisy's trainer and owner, said the program has been completely filled since she started participating about three weeks ago.

"I was very happy," she said of the program. "I didn't know what to expect from the kids or from Daisy.

"Daisy's great -- she knows when to turn on the playfulness and when to be quiet, and she was delighted the first time we did it."

D'Anieri, a Westerville resident, said 10-month-old Daisy registered through Therapy Dog International Inc. (TDI), a national volunteer organization established in 1976 that regulates, tests and registers therapy dogs.

Burgh's owner, Chris Bohrer, said he has seen children not only improve their level of reading through the program, but gain a greater comfort around dogs as well.

"We had a 4-year-old who wasn't reading in the program, but her sister was, and at first she was a little afraid of Burgh, who weighs 100 pounds," Bohrer said. "I asked the little girl if she wanted to come sit down, and by the end of the session, she was asking if she could stay and pet the puppy."

Wilkins said the reading program will be available for children ages 6 and older on Wednesdays through Aug. 13 between 7-8 p.m. with therapy dog Burgh, and on Sundays through Aug. 24, 2-3 p.m. with Daisy.

Children can either bring their own copies of a favorite book, or choose one at the library to read during the sessions. Because of the program's popularity, children must register for a specific date, and then arrangements are made with library staff for the specific session, according to Wilkins.

Registration can be made on the Web at www.westervillelibrary.org through the Events calendar, or by calling the library at (614)882-7277 extension 4.

lrice@thisweeknews.com