Every Wednesday in June, something special happens at T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill. Kids settle onto the carpet with a book in hand, ready to read — not to a teacher or librarian, but to Tucker, a patient golden retriever who never judges a stumble or mispronounced word.
The annual Read to a Dog program brings together children of all ages with a certified therapy dog who’s become a familiar face in Lincoln County schools. It’s simple literacy programming with a tail-wagging twist.
For families in smaller Northwoods communities like Merrill, programs like this matter more than you might think.
Why Kids Open Up to a Four-Legged Listener
Tucker isn’t just any friendly dog. He’s completed three levels of certification — canine good citizen, community canine test, and therapy dog program — to earn his spot on the library floor.
His handler, Mark Meahlos, has been bringing Tucker to Merrill schools and community events for nearly a decade. The magic happens when a child who’s nervous about reading aloud finds confidence in front of an audience that won’t correct them or look away.
“Learning is kind of academic, social and emotional,” Meahlos explained. “So, it’s the social and emotional bringing of kids out of their shell a little bit. Then blood pressure also drops and good things happen.”
Andrea Bennett, Head of Youth Services at T.B. Scott Library, sees that impact firsthand. Kids become more focused and engaged when Tucker’s around. The dog’s patience turns what could feel like a test into something closer to storytime with a friend.
Building Confidence One Page at a Time
Reading aloud can feel scary for young readers. The fear of stumbling over words or sounding foolish keeps some kids from practicing — which means they fall further behind.
That’s where Tucker comes in. He won’t laugh at a mispronunciation or lose interest halfway through a sentence. He just listens, occasionally offering a gentle tail wag or calm gaze that says “keep going.”
“Reading to a dog, people have found it reduces anxiety in kids. So, the kids are more likely to focus and be more engaged.” — Andrea Bennett, T.B. Scott Free Library
The therapy-dog model has spread across libraries nationwide for good reason. Research consistently shows that reading to animals helps reluctant readers build the kind of confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.
In a place like Merrill — population around 9,000 — the public library serves as more than a book warehouse. It’s a community hub, offering structured literacy support that some families might not find elsewhere in Lincoln County.
What Makes a Therapy Dog Program Work
Not every friendly dog can show up at a library and call it therapy work. Tucker’s certification process involved months of training to ensure he could handle the unpredictable energy of excited children.
Here’s what goes into creating a reliable therapy dog team:
- Basic obedience training that proves the dog can follow commands in distracting environments
- Community canine testing that shows the dog remains calm around strangers, noises, and movement
- Therapy-specific certification requiring the dog to interact gently with people of all ages and abilities
- Ongoing handler training so the human partner knows how to manage sessions and keep everyone safe
Meahlos and Tucker are regulars at Merrill schools, where kids already know them. That familiarity makes the library program feel like visiting an old friend rather than meeting a stranger.
The emotional benefits extend beyond reading practice. Children learn empathy, build social skills, and experience the calming effect that comes from spending time with a well-trained animal.
Beyond Tucker: Summer at T.B. Scott Library
The Read to a Dog program is just one piece of T.B. Scott Library’s summer programming. Families can find activities throughout the season designed to keep young minds engaged when school’s out.
In July, the library plans to introduce a new program featuring Woodsy Dude — another example of how rural libraries get creative with limited budgets by bringing in volunteers and community partners.
These programs cost far less than many youth enrichment activities because they rely on public space and volunteer-based participation. That makes them accessible to families across the economic spectrum in Lincoln County.
For parents looking for free, educational summer activities in the Northwoods, your local library remains one of the best-kept secrets around.
Finding Your Voice in the Northwoods
Tucker’s work at T.B. Scott Library reflects a broader truth about up-north communities. We look out for each other, especially when it comes to helping kids succeed.
Whether it’s a therapy dog listening to early readers or a librarian organizing summer programs on a shoestring budget, these small acts build the kind of community that makes the Northwoods special.
Reading to Tucker won’t turn every child into a bookworm overnight. But for some kids, a patient golden retriever might be exactly what they need to find their voice — one page, one sentence, one wagging tail at a time.
If you’ve got a young reader at home who could use a confidence boost, the T.B. Scott Free Library is waiting. Tucker will be there every Wednesday this June, ready to listen.
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