Pasadena Kids Can Read to Therapy Dogs at Three Library Branches This Month

Children who freeze up reading aloud in class have a lower-stakes option this month at three Pasadena Public Library branches: a therapy dog that will sit, listen and never correct them. 

The library’s Barks & Books program, presented by the nonprofit Pet Partners, brings certified therapy dogs to drop-in sessions where children can read at their own pace to a calm, patient animal. Four free sessions will run between March 9 and March 23 at the San Rafael, Jefferson, and Villa Parke branches, according to a flyer published by the City of Pasadena. 

The premise is simple. Dogs do not judge pronunciation. They do not interrupt. For a child who stumbles over words or dreads being called on to read, the quiet presence of a therapy dog can make the difference between shutting down and trying again.

Villa Parke Branch, at 363 East Villa Street is a new addition to the program’s locations this year. Barks & Books has previously operated at the Jefferson, Santa Catalina and San Rafael branches, according to the Pasadena Public Library’s children’s blog. The March 2026 schedule replaces Santa Catalina with Villa Parke. 

San Rafael Branch, at 1240 Nithsdale Road will host two sessions: Monday, March 9, and Monday, March 23, both from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Jefferson Branch, at 1500 East Villa Street will hold one session on Tuesday, March 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Villa Parke Branch will hold one session on Wednesday, March 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

No sign-up is required. Sessions are first-come, first-served. 

Pet Partners, the national nonprofit that certifies therapy animal teams, provides the trained dogs and their volunteer handlers for the program. A previous Pasadena Public Library blog post also credited Love on a Leash, a California-based therapy pet nonprofit, as a co-presenter. The March 2026 flyer credits only Pet Partners. 

The library describes the therapy dogs as gentle, well-trained and calm with children. In a March 2025 blog post, the library noted that therapy dogs named Jackson, Nola, Maisie and Cody had participated in past sessions at various branches, though the flyer for March 2026 does not specify which dogs will attend for more information please visit pasadenapubliclibrary.net .

For accessibility information and requests, contact the City of Pasadena at (626) 744-7311 or CSC@cityofpasadena.net. The city requests at least 72 hours advance notice. 

“Whether your child is a reluctant reader or simply loves spending time with a four-legged companion, we hope to see you stop by,” the library said in its blog post about the program.