ROBERTSDALE - Eight dogs and dozens of kids came out to “Pawty” at the conclusion of the SIT STAY READ! summer program at the Robertsdale Library.

Dogs trained to be gentle, obedient and calm, sit next to the children as they read story books out loud to them. It makes reading a more “pawsitive” experience. Children forget their limitations, relax and read longer.

The SIT STAY READ! program started in Baldwin County this May. Since that time, more than 50 children from Pensacola to Fairhope have read to the nine specially-trained dogs at the libraries in Daphne and Robertsdale.

Cynthia Nall, director of Robertsdale Public Library, is resuming the volunteer reading assistance program after Labor Day. Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. the SIT STAY READ! dogs will be available for 20-minute one-on-one sessions. To reserve your child's slot, call the Robertsdale Public Library at 947-8960.

Fanny Barnett, Children’s Librarian at the Daphne Library, plans on the dogs returning in a couple of months after construction is complete on their new addition.

Handlers of this elite group of dogs are diverse - from chemists to college students to pet trainers. The team wears lime green T-shirts and bandannas with the SIT STAY READ! logo on them. Their uniforms were made possible by an anonymous donor who is a library patron an dog lover.

Each of the SIT STAY READ! dogs has his own Web page with pictures and fun facts. To learn what their favorite book, trick, treat and day-off activity is, visit www.wowzaphotography.com/sitstayread.

The SIT STAY READ! program is provided free of charge to daycares, churches, schools, libraries and other community events.

To schedule a visit  or to volunteer your dog and your time contact Sonja Presley, SIT STAY READ! Program Coordinator, at (251) 591-4837 or e-mail SitStayRead@WowzaPhotography.com.