Tails and Tales at the Shelter Island Library

If you begged for a dog as a child, your parents probably made you swear up, down, and all around that you’d train, walk, and feed them. However, nowadays, some children are volunteering to take that a step further … by reading to the dog. Yes, you saw that right. Read to the dog. 

On Tuesday, June 23, kids ranging in ages from preschool to first grade gathered at the Shelter Island Library. As the main building is currently under construction, the youngsters eagerly huddled inside the temporary mobile home to read to four-year-old golden retriever Hannah. Hannah is a registered therapy dog who works tirelessly to spread her love as far as it may carry.

She frequently visits local hospitals, retirement homes, schools, and libraries, totaling over 200 adventures with her owner, Alex Bratty. And on this occasion, Hannah received thanks for her endeavors by getting to sit back, relax, and listen to an array of storybooks read to her by local children. 

Hannah came dressed to impress — sporting a colorful bandana decorated with paw-printed books. An eager message was spelled out across the fabric: Read to me! In a fit of excitement, she ran to the door to greet her tiny guests, who were at first frazzled by her nuzzling nose and helicopter-like tail.

However, they immediately relaxed when Hannah proved that she was physically incapable of causing harm; her love was simply boiling over in the form of a too-wiggly butt. 

The first book, read by a little boy in kindergarten, revolved around the theme of potty training. “Hannah could learn a thing or two from that,” Ms. Bratty teased while gently rubbing her golden’s fur. Hannah didn’t seem to find the phrase amusing, however, pawing her owner as if to say “Please stop spreading my secrets.” 

“How do you know when it’s time to potty?” The little boy continued, desperately trying to read upside down so that Hannah could see the pictures, too. “Listen to your body! That’s how you know it’s time to go.”

Despite tripping over a few words, the child proudly made it to the end. Before he left, he reassured Hannah that, despite her excellent behavior, it’s still OK if accidents happen. Everyone, including dogs, makes and learns from their mistakes. 

Next up, the pink book “On the Account of Gum” was selected by a little girl, who matched the cover by wearing a plaid pink dress. The pages walked through the mess that sticky chewing gum can cause.

But Hannah’s excitement seemed to halt on page five, when the mention of a cat was brought up. Quickly, she turned her back and cowered. While Hannah sought protection in Ms. Bratty’s arms, she demanded that her bravery be praised by continuously whacking her paw against her thigh.

Thankfully, she regained enough courage just in time to listen to the end of the story. “That’s a silly book,” The child’s grandmother exclaimed, who had taken over reading for her granddaughter after she became preoccupied with giving the golden retriever some reassuring love and cuddles. 

But perhaps the book that excited Hannah the most was picked out by the last guest— a little boy who had run to the library with his mom after hearing of the dog’s presence. In crisp and clear language, he enthusiastically read aloud “We Are Definitely Not Human.”

While intently fixated on pictures of spaceships and monster-like friends, Hannah extended a paw to be held. Taking it in his own hand, the little boy guided her through the rest of the page as she cocked her head and stuck out her tongue in curiosity. Come the end, the entire room erupted into laughter at the closing joke, “Yep, yep, yep. They are definitely not from Europe.”  

With her breed being a golden retriever, which are notorious for being goofy, and undeniably adorable, Ms. Bratty felt that Hannah’s kindness needed to be shared. “Everyone deserves to experience it,” she said smiling and stroking her pet’s yellow head.

To become certified, Hannah first needed to pass a K-9 Good Citizen test, followed by an obedience and temperament exam to ensure that she wouldn’t be easily spooked by everyday objects or overwhelmed in public settings. Her next visits to the library will be at 4:15 on July 17 and July 31. Children age 6 and over are welcome and encouraged to come down and read any book of their choosing to Hannah.

An adult must accompany a child under 10. For more information on Tails and Tales — including Hannah’s upcoming 5th birthday party on August 1,  contact the Library’s Head of Youth Services, Jane Oliva ([email protected]).