Mars library offers children opportunity to practice reading with help of furred friend
Barking up the Right Tree
Wally licks Chase Anderson’s hand during Paws to Read with Wally at the Mars Area Library on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Mars Area Public Library is recruiting some unconventional help to give children an opportunity to practice reading.
The library’s Paws to read with Wally program is open select Tuesdays in coming months and provides a chance to read to a particularly good listener. Participants will have the chance to enjoy 15 minute sessions when they can read to and spend time with Wally the golden retriever.
The program is available from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and March 10 and is recommended for children ages 6 and up.
Up to two siblings can sign up pr registration. Participants are asked to bring a book or two to read, but no toys.
Registration opens two weeks before each event.
Chase Anderson, left, reads to Wally the dog, as his brother Connor pets him during Paws to Read with Wally at the Mars Area Library on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Wally lays comfortably as Chase Anderson pets him while reading a book to him during Paws to Read with Wally at the Mars Area Library on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
