Pebbles the therapy dog

By Cameron Wallace

The Cuero Record

For Pebbles the Therapy Dog, relaxing while a child reads to her defies her active heritage--and it’s her job. Pebbles is not your average five-year-old Catahoula mix. The breed can more commonly be seen working cattle or other “active” jobs. But Pebbles is more at home with young children who read to her. An active therapy dog for the past year, Pebbles and her human (Shanna Burge) visit the Cuero Public Library on Mondays during Toddler Storytime from 10 to 11 a.m.

According to Shanna Burge, “Pebbles basically helps the kids to read out loud so they’re not nervous about reading in front of people.”

Burge says, “They’ll be more willing to read--and read out loud--when the “person” they’re reading to isn’t intimidating or judgmental.”

That’s her main job, says Burge. “Of course, her other jobs are just to be giving kids a little hope, a little love, and some happiness.

“The kids just sit down next to Pebbles. A lot of times she’ll lay her head on their lap, or sometimes she’ll kind of nudge them to get some attention.”

A very patient and gentle dog, Pebbles has visited seniors’ homes and she’s good, according to Burge, “but she just really seems to be more in tune with the kids.”

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