Border Collie mix Luna lying calmly with an attentive, patient expression and distinctive bi-colored eyes
2 photos of Luna
Luna
Handler: Marcus Thompson
The intuitive listener with an uncanny ability to sense when a child needs encouragement at just the right moment.
Luna's Story
Luna, a beautiful Border Collie mix with one blue eye and one brown, came to handler Marcus Thompson through a rescue organization. Her previous owner, an elementary school teacher, had to relocate internationally and couldn't bring Luna along. From day one, Luna displayed remarkable emotional intelligence—she would rest her head on Marcus's knee during stressful phone calls and bring toys to visitors who seemed sad. When Marcus joined Paws & Pages, Luna's gift truly shone. She has an almost supernatural ability to sense when a child is about to stumble on a word or feel frustrated, positioning herself closer at precisely those moments. At 4 years old, Luna has become the program's 'emotional support specialist,' often assigned to children with the highest reading anxiety.
A Heart-Warming Moment
Nine-year-old James had a severe stutter that made reading aloud his greatest fear. His parents had tried everything—speech therapy, private tutoring, special programs—but James had started refusing to read at all. His first session with Luna was quiet. James sat rigidly, book closed on his lap, while Luna settled nearby. For ten minutes, nothing happened. Then Luna slowly inched closer and placed her head on James's knee. James's hand, almost involuntarily, moved to pet her. Luna's tail swished gently. 'She's soft,' James whispered—his first words of the session, clear and stutter-free. By the third session, James was reading whole paragraphs to Luna. His speech therapist later told us it was the breakthrough they'd been waiting years for. 'Luna didn't care how he sounded,' his mother explained through tears. 'She just cared that he was there.'
Ready to meet Luna?
Luna and Marcus Thompson 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.