Sweet Basset Hound Olive with long droopy ears, soulful eyes, and calm, patient expression
2 photos of Olive
Olive
Handler: Rachel Green
A sweet Basset Hound with droopy ears and a big heart. Olive's slow-and-steady approach matches readers who need extra time.
Olive's Story
Olive the Basset Hound moves through life at her own pace—and that's exactly what makes her special. Handler Rachel Green, a special education teacher, adopted Olive after seeing how her leisurely demeanor calmed anxious students. Olive never rushes. She ambles into reading sessions, settles down slowly, and stays perfectly still for however long it takes. For children who struggle with reading pace or who need extra time to process words, Olive is the ideal companion. Her famous droopy ears and soulful eyes convey infinite patience. At 7 years old, Olive is the program's 'slow reading specialist,' proving that faster isn't always better.
A Heart-Warming Moment
Eight-year-old Mira had auditory processing challenges that made her reading speed frustratingly slow. She'd been compared unfavorably to classmates her whole life: 'Try to keep up, Mira.' But Olive didn't keep up with anyone—and kids loved her anyway. 'Olive is the slowest dog ever!' Mira exclaimed delightedly during their first meeting. 'Watch her walk! It takes forever!' Rachel smiled. 'Olive doesn't believe in rushing. She gets there when she gets there.' Mira's eyes widened. 'That's like me reading.' Exactly, Rachel agreed. From then on, Mira read to Olive at her natural pace. No pressure, no comparisons. 'Olive speed,' Mira called it proudly. By year's end, Mira had actually sped up—but more importantly, she'd stopped seeing her pace as a flaw. 'Olive taught me that slow and steady really does win the race,' she wrote in her journal.
Ready to meet Olive?
Olive and Rachel Green 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.