Therapy dogs lend an ear at Gulfport Library’s Sit, Stay and Read

Who let the dogs out — in the library?

It’s all part of the Sit, Stay and Read program at the Gulfport Pubic Library.

Jamie Hobbs, a retired nurse of 45 years, said owning a therapy dog is a good retirement project because she still wants to help people and see the joy her dog, Stella, brings to those around her.

“Theres a Gulf Coast Pediatric place that we go to where the children are mentally and physically challenged and to see them smile, ya know it’s what its all about.”

Sit, Stay, Read is a program at the library where children read to therapy dogs without feeling peer pressure or fear mispronouncing words while reading aloud.

Jamie Elston, the Gulfport Library branch manager, said the program will help children improve their reading skills.

“I think they are also discovering what the library can do for them as well because I saw some downstairs using our computers and reading independently once they left after reading with the dogs, so i think it’s been a great encouragement for them,” Elston said.

Stella is one of the five dogs that participated in Saturday’s event, not only encouraging more kids to read but also helping them overcome their fear of dogs.”

“One little boy was afraid of dogs,” Hobbs said. “I said well, Stella lay down and then you can lay on Stella if you like and he came and petted the dog and he wouldn’t get close with the dog before.”

The therapy dogs not only go to the libraries, but visit hospitals and nursing homes on the Coast.

“We need some more volunteers,” Hobbs said. “Our demand is greater than our supply of pet teams and if anybody wants to get involved, we’ll be glad to help you.

“You go to Facebook, it is Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi and we will get you started and I guarantee you will love it.”

The next Sit, Stay, and Read event at Gulfport Library is September 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.