MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis Public Library program lets kids cuddle up with a therapy dog while reading their favorite book and for many kids, it’s their only one-on-one reading time.
Lovie is an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Nobody gets too far in the Benjamin Hooks Central Library without a little love from Lovie.
“When we come in the library everyone goes, ‘Hey Lovie,’” said her mom, Juana McCoy.
McCoy says nowadays she’s just Lovie’s leash holder, but it was six years ago when she realized that people’s attraction to Lovie could actually turn the page on a real issue.
“They’re reading, they’re learning, they’re working on skills, but they don’t really realize it because they’re having fun,” she said.
Every week they make their rounds to branches across Memphis.
“This is it’s a literacy program. And Memphis has a real literacy problem. You know, our third graders virtually flunk. So that’s our future,” McCoy said.
When Lovie isn’t improving literacy, she’s bringing on a smile.