A giggle bubbles from Mayada Mimi, 9, of Lewiston, as a cold nose presses against her cheek. Other than the occasional stumble over a word, it is the only interruption as she reads aloud to Maggie.

And she knows when she sits down for 30 minutes on a Thursday evening at the Lewiston Public Library, Maggie will be all ears.

Maggie is a rescued golden retriever and part of a “reading team” that includes her handler, Suzy Nattress of Auburn.

“It feels like I’m reading by myself,” said Mimi after her session. “It makes me proud to be reading.”

Which, says Nattress, is the point.

Reading to a dog – an unbiased listener – builds confidence in young readers because they are less afraid to make mistakes, which improves their reading skills.

Reading Education Assistance Dogs was started in 1999 at a Salt Lake City library by Intermountain Therapy Animals. It was brought to the attention of the Lewiston Public Library by Gordon Harris in the summer of 2007, who also has a therapy dog, Sky. The duo started visiting the library in the fall of 2007, and still do on Saturdays.

“It’s enjoyable for the dog and it seems to help people read,” commented Harris.

Nattress was amazed to find children of all reading levels interested in reading to Maggie when they started at the library in February.

“I see a lot of kids who come in here, who don’t have dogs at home, who just want to read to the dog.”

Children can sign up for 30-minute sessions with Maggie on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. or on Saturdays with Sky from noon to 1 p.m. at the Children’s Desk on the third floor or by calling 513-3133 in advance.