Handsome Irish Setter Finn with glossy mahogany coat and alert, enthusiastic expression
2 photos of Finn
Finn
Handler: Lisa Hernandez
An adventurous Irish Setter with boundless enthusiasm. Finn's energy is perfectly channeled into his love of stories.
Finn's Story
Finn's path to therapy work was unconventional. The spirited Irish Setter was initially considered 'too energetic' for calm therapy environments—he'd failed certification twice with other handlers. But Lisa Hernandez, a former competitive dog agility trainer, saw potential. She taught Finn that reading time was 'focus time,' channeling his energy into intense attention rather than physical activity. The result was remarkable: Finn now exhibits laser-focused engagement during stories, his soulful eyes tracking the reader with undivided attention. He's particularly popular with active, high-energy children who struggle to sit still—they recognize a kindred spirit. At 3 years old, Finn is the youngest therapy dog in the program, proving that the right training can transform any temperament into therapy gold.
A Heart-Warming Moment
Ten-year-old Marcus had ADHD and found sitting still for reading nearly impossible. He'd been asked to leave two reading programs for 'disrupting other children.' His mother was losing hope. But Finn understood the fidgets. During their first session, Marcus couldn't stop bouncing his leg. Finn responded by placing his head firmly on that bouncing leg, adding his weight to the rhythm without stopping it. Marcus laughed: 'He's bouncing with me!' Lisa suggested they take a two-minute 'movement break' every half page. During breaks, Marcus and Finn would do three jumping jacks together. Then back to reading. This pattern worked magic. Marcus finished his first complete chapter book during a Paws & Pages session. 'Finn gets it,' he told his mother. 'He knows sitting still is hard. He doesn't make me feel broken.'
Ready to meet Finn?
Finn and Lisa Hernandez 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.