The Happy Trails/READing Paws program at the Buckhead Branch Library gives children the chance to improve their public speaking and reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog. Above, Avery Radics, 7, reads to dog Sedona at the Nov. 14 READing Paws event. (Photo by Phil Mosier)
The Happy Trails/READing Paws program at the Buckhead Branch Library gives children the chance to improve their public speaking and reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog. Above, Avery Radics, 7, reads to dog Sedona at the Nov. 14 READing Paws event. (Photo by Phil Mosier)

John Ruch is an Atlanta-based journalist. Previously, he was Managing Editor of Reporter Newspapers.