Handsome German Shepherd Max with alert ears and intelligent, kind expression
2 photos of Max
Max
Handler: David Chen
A steadfast German Shepherd with a gentle soul. Max's loyal presence gives nervous readers courage.
Max's Story
Max's story reads like a movie. This handsome German Shepherd was originally trained for police work but was 'career-changed' due to his temperament—he was too friendly. What made him unsuitable for law enforcement made him perfect for Paws & Pages. Handler David Chen, a veteran who benefited from a therapy dog during his own recovery, recognized Max's potential immediately. Max combines German Shepherd intelligence and attentiveness with unusual softness. He watches readers with the focus of his training but responds to their struggles with warmth, not intensity. At 6 years old, Max has become particularly popular with children who initially find 'working dogs' scary—they discover that Max's serious appearance masks an absolute marshmallow of a heart.
A Heart-Warming Moment
Eleven-year-old Jason had struggled with reading his whole life. Diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade, he'd developed a thick shell of 'not caring' to protect himself from disappointment. 'Reading is stupid anyway,' he'd say. But Jason had always loved dogs, especially 'cool' ones. When he met Max, his defenses cracked. 'He looks like a police dog,' Jason said admiringly. David told Jason about Max's career change: 'He wasn't mean enough for police work. Too nice. Just wanted to help people instead of catch bad guys.' Jason related deeply to being labeled 'not right' for something. He started reading to Max—just a little at first—because Max 'deserved good stories.' Over time, Jason's attitude shifted. If Max could find a new path, maybe Jason could too. 'We're both career-changers,' Jason told David. 'We just gotta find where we fit.'
Ready to meet Max?
Max and David Chen 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.