Sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bella with expressive brown eyes and silky chestnut-and-white coat
2 photos of Bella
Bella
Handler: Thomas Park
A sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who loves nothing more than snuggling up during a good story.
Bella's Story
Bella came to handler Thomas Park as a retirement gift from his students (he taught fourth grade for 32 years). The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel had been bred by a family who specifically raised therapy dogs, and Bella showed the temperament from puppyhood: gentle, patient, and impossibly affectionate. Thomas initially brought Bella to visit his former school, where she became an instant celebrity. Teachers noticed something remarkable: reluctant readers would suddenly volunteer to read aloud if Bella was present. Word spread, and Thomas connected with Paws & Pages. Now 4 years old, Bella specializes in working with the youngest readers—her small size and lap-friendly nature make her perfect for kindergarteners and first-graders who are just beginning their reading journey.
A Heart-Warming Moment
Five-year-old Oliver had just learned his letters but was convinced he would 'never, ever' learn to read. 'It's too hard,' he told anyone who would listen. His first session with Bella, he didn't even try. He just sat with the tiny spaniel on his lap, petting her silky ears. 'Bella wants to hear a story,' Thomas said gently. 'Can you show her the pictures?' Oliver began describing the pictures: 'There's a boy. There's a dog. The dog is red.' Thomas pointed to the words. 'Look, it says DOG right there.' Oliver traced the letters. D-O-G. 'That's the word for dog,' he breathed. Week by week, picture descriptions became word recognition became actual reading. Four months later, Oliver burst into his session shouting, 'BELLA! I read a WHOLE BOOK to my mom last night!' His mother confirmed: he'd read 'Go, Dog. Go!' three times in a row.
Ready to meet Bella?
Bella and Thomas Park are available for reading sessions at participating libraries. Sign up today to experience the magic of reading with a furry friend!
Questions About Our Program?
We'd love to tell you more about how our therapy dogs help children become confident readers.