A dog will listen to the same page three times and never correct a word. That is the idea behind Dogs Enjoy Afternoon Reading, or D.E.A.R., at the Longmont Public Library on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Children in first through fifth grade read aloud, at their own pace, to trained therapy dogs. The library provides books, or kids can bring one from home. Each dog comes with a handler who stays close, and the library says the teams are tested, registered and insured. Adults are welcome to sit in and read along or help a newer reader.
For homeschool families it is free read-aloud practice with a very patient audience. There is no registration. Check in with staff when you arrive to get on the reading list, and expect a short wait if it is busy.
Know before you go
- When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, 2 to 3 p.m.
- Where: Longmont Public Library, Library Meeting Rooms, 355 Emery St., Longmont, CO 80501
- Ages: Grades 1 through 5; adults welcome alongside
- Cost: Free
- Registration: None; check in with staff at the event
- Subject: Reading
- Details: City of Longmont event page
More like this: Longmont, Homeschool, Library programs, Free things to do, Locomotion science and circus show at the library (Oct. 17), Longmont Museum grand reopening (Oct. 17)
