Marlborough District Libraries are thrilled to partner with Hato Hone St John Therapy Pets.

This popular programme brings trained loving pets into both libraries on a regular basis.

Health experts have long known the wonderful benefits we get from the aroha of our animal friends. The love of an animal can reduce stress and put a smile on everyone's faces – staff included!

They give comfort to people who are lonely or miss their own pets. We have also witnessed the benefits of children reading to a dog - it is a lot less scary than reading to a human, and the dogs love it too!

We are very lucky to have a selection of therapy pet volunteers and their beloved dogs in Marlborough.

Therapy pets are trained and assessed (as are their handlers) before being allowed to become a part of the programme. All handlers will be wearing a Hato Hone St John uniform shirt and name tag while all dogs will wear a therapy pet branded bandanna.

You can meet Jack in Picton Library most Thursdays at 10.30am, or Moss in Marlborough Library every second Wednesday around 10.30am.

You may also bump into Crow and Pudding (Black Labradors) and Dougal and Tilly who also visit every so often. Please check with your local library for confirmed days and times.

Sorry, only authorised Therapy Pets/Disability Support Pets are permitted in our libraries.

Image: Therapy Pet Jack was quite at home on the knee of Val at Picton Library and Service Centre recently.