Children and families in Perry County now have a new (and furry) option to practice reading aloud at the Tell City branch of the Perry County Public Library. The library’s Bark & Read: Dunkin’s Reading Corner pairs local therapy dog Dunkin with handler Officer Martin in supervised sessions designed especially for reluctant and struggling readers. Residents interested in participating are asked to consult the Tell City events list on the library’s website for dates and times.

The program places readers and their canine listener at the center of a low-pressure environment intended to build fluency and confidence. Library staff describe the sessions as particularly helpful for children who are hesitant to read aloud in classroom settings or who need extra practice outside school hours. By offering the sessions at a public library, the program expands access to literacy supports without adding direct costs to families.

Beyond immediate reading practice, Bark & Read helps strengthen broader community ties. Having Officer Martin as the handler embeds the library offering within an existing community relationship, creating another venue for positive, informal engagement with local law enforcement. For a community like Perry County, such programs can play a complementary role to schools and after-school activities by providing consistent, locally available resources that target early literacy — a foundational skill with long-term implications for educational attainment and workforce readiness.

The Tell City branch’s approach also reflects a wider trend among public libraries toward experiential programming that addresses both educational and social needs. These initiatives require modest operational investment relative to classroom interventions, leveraging volunteers, trained therapy animals, and library space to produce outsized social returns. For local policymakers and school administrators, events like Bark & Read illustrate how cross-sector partnerships can supplement formal instruction without adding significant budgetary strain.

Practical benefits for parents and caregivers include convenient scheduling and no-cost participation; the library’s events calendar at perrycountypl.org lists session dates and any registration requirements. For educators, the sessions offer an informal supplement that can help students practice reading skills in a supportive setting that reduces performance anxiety.

As Perry County seeks to bolster early literacy and reinforce community supports, programs such as Dunkin’s Reading Corner represent a targeted, scalable approach. They are small investments with the potential to improve reading confidence among young residents and deepen community engagement with public institutions — outcomes that matter for long-term educational and economic prospects in the county.