Library dog finds plenty of kids to read for him after viral post

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (KMSP) - After his owner posted on Facebook requesting more visitors for Sting's reading sessions at the White Bear Lake, Minn. library, the friendly greyhound is busier than ever. In fact, he's booked through April.

"We got inundated with calls from people all over the country who wanted to visit him," said Ann Wahlstrom, children's librarian at the White Bear Lake Library. "People wanted us to hold a phone up to his ear so they could read to him."

Sting is a regular in the Paws to Read program, which helps kids of many ages practice reading aloud in a safe, fun environment.

But when nobody signed up to visit him on Feb. 7, owner John Muellner posted to Facebook, promoting the program. Now, the post has more than 80,000 shares.

Wahlstrom said Sting still got to socialize Wednesday, walking around visiting kids and staff.

Sting, 10, is a therapy dog and has worked at all sorts of places including Gillette Children's Hospital and a nursing home in his hometown of Hugo.

Though traditionally Sting only visits the library twice a month for sessions, Muellner added two more to accommodate such high demand. They filled up almost instantly.

"Our hearts are full," Wahlstrom said. "I mean, it's kids and reading and dogs."

Paws to Read takes place in libraries across the state, with each session scheduled for about 20 minutes. Check your local library for more information.