K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore

K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore A Reading Buddy of a Different Breed What makes this program different
from others, is that the dog is used as a projection tool.

Founded in January 2007, we fill a void for struggling readers
locally who hail from a variety of backgrounds and span the
spectrum of income levels. For instance, if it seems the child may not understand the
meaning of a word, the handler will say something like,
"Minnie doesn't know what that word means. Maybe you can
look the word up in the dictionary and read her the definition. Now the focus is off the child and on the dog, creating a safe,
non-judgmental environment.

Great job Mary Kay Kolseth & Bruno and Nancy Cohen & Simba!
06/12/2026

Great job Mary Kay Kolseth & Bruno and Nancy Cohen & Simba!

A note after our New Trier High School Final Exams Stress Relief visits last week. Woof!Dear K9 Reading Buddies Team,On ...
06/02/2026

A note after our New Trier High School Final Exams Stress Relief visits last week. Woof!

Dear K9 Reading Buddies Team,

On behalf of the students and staff at New Trier High School, Northfield, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for bringing your comfort dogs to our school.

The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to relax, de-stress, and connect with the dogs. Their presence had a positive impact on our school community, and many students expressed how much they appreciated the experience. It was clear that the comfort dogs and their handlers brought warmth, kindness, and support to everyone they met.

Truffle (Denise), Simba (Nancy), Dakota (Tracy), Simba (Carole), Riley (Tom/Donna), and Bruno (MaryKay) were all wonderful guests.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our school and for the important work your organization does to promote well-being and emotional support. We are grateful for your generosity and hope to partner with you again in the future.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Moretta
New Trier High School, Northfield Academic Assistance Center Coordinator

One picture says it all . . .

This is just a sampling of some of the thank you notes written by students at Andrew Cooke Magnet School in Waukegan who...
05/08/2026

This is just a sampling of some of the thank you notes written by students at Andrew Cooke Magnet School in Waukegan who get to read to K9RB Rion and Jane.

Izzy Solochek Crossed The Rainbow Bridge 3/2/26 - She would have turned 10 in April.For those who are not already certif...
03/10/2026

Izzy Solochek Crossed The Rainbow Bridge 3/2/26 - She would have turned 10 in April.

For those who are not already certified therapy dog teams, the process of becoming a K9RB team can take up to six months. The commitment of time and effort means that our program isn’t the right fit for everyone, which makes those who do complete the journey especially valued and respected.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our new team member, Warren Solochek, informed us his beautiful Vizsla, Izzy (Isabella), passed away yesterday afternoon.

When Izzy became ill, they were just two days away from giving their first Dog Safety Presentation at Hyde Park Day School (HPDS) for their assigned class of second graders. It would have been their first K9RBNS presentation. It would also have been Izzy’s first time wearing her bandana.

Warren and Izzy had already made a meaningful impact on children’s lives while volunteering with Sit Stay Read (SSR) in Chicago from 2019 to 2024. After Warren and his wife relocated to the suburbs to be closer to their grandchildren he began looking for a similar volunteer opportunity and discovered K9RBNS. Lucky us. Shortly afterward, they tested with ATD for their therapy dog certification. Warren attended K9RBNS orientation in December, and our training class on February 21.

Thankfully, Warren has chosen to remain involved as an adult volunteer. We are always grateful for extra help at public events and even at some libraries where staffing is limited.

Run free, sweet Izzy . . . you are missed --

Parent/child comments about her 2-5-26 program at Wilmette Public Library.TRUFFLEMy child felt relaxed and very happy to...
03/09/2026

Parent/child comments about her 2-5-26 program at Wilmette Public Library.

TRUFFLE

My child felt relaxed and very happy to be around a friendly dog.

**Parent noted an all around increase in her 2nd grader’s reading and interest in going to the library to read to an K9RB. The parent credited K9RBNS for the increases on all levels.**

Thank you. We have been doing this for years and so appreciate your program. We have a strong reader! She has improved so much, as noted on her testing at school.

LOVIE

It was so fun. The dogs are so nice.

DAKOTA

I loved to do that. Dakota is so cute!

We love this program. Thank you!

Child/parent comments from December 2025 program at Wilmette Public Library.TRUFFLETruffle was cute. I had lots of fun a...
03/09/2026

Child/parent comments from December 2025 program at Wilmette Public Library.

TRUFFLE

Truffle was cute. I had lots of fun and I was very happy reading with her.

Thank you!

LEO

We love this activity and this Great Dane! Thank you!

This is a wonderful program. many thanks to the library staff and the volunteers.

I really liked it. Leo was great! I would like to see a breed you don’t often see.

LOLA

My son NEVER pet a dog and tonight he did! Lola is the sweetest.

Look who conducted her first K9RBNS dog safety presentation at Hyde Park Day School in Northfield today! Our new team, J...
03/06/2026

Look who conducted her first K9RBNS dog safety presentation at Hyde Park Day School in Northfield today! Our new team, Jan Hinton and Sadie.

Jan, who retired from teaching after 36 years is back in the saddle, only this time with her therapy dog, Sadie. While it wasn't Jan's first day at school, it was most definitely 3 year old Sadie's first day who is now at home taking a well-deserved nap. Woof!

Parent comments about Truffle and Lola after reading night on 2/11 at the Glencoe Public Library:"My daughter LOVED read...
02/12/2026

Parent comments about Truffle and Lola after reading night on 2/11 at the Glencoe Public Library:

"My daughter LOVED reading for Truffle. She loves dogs and she was a very sweet dog.

Truffle is a great dog. Would like to see her again.

Thank you, Lola, for the confidence you gave Emily today.

Truffle & Lola - K-9 Reading Buddies makes reading comfortable & fun!"

A parent comment after her daughters read with Truffle at the Wilmette Public Library on 2/6:"Thank you for this program...
02/12/2026

A parent comment after her daughters read with Truffle at the Wilmette Public Library on 2/6:

"Thank you for this program. We love it. We have been doing this since she was in 1st grade (now in 4th). Her reading is above average per school testing. I know she will be sad when she ages out. Thank you again!

My daughters were very excited for this event and asked to be signed up for the next session already."

Remembering K-9 Reading Buddy, Mickey Yuster, the face of our logo dog, who passed away on this day in 2018 just 1 mont...
01/18/2026

Remembering K-9 Reading Buddy, Mickey Yuster, the face of our logo dog, who passed away on this day in 2018 just 1 month shy of 14. Just look at the smile. And, thanks for teaching Simba how to be a good boy and follow in your paw prints. Woof to you, Mickey.

Address

P. O Box 477
Highland Park, IL
60035

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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