Bright Spot therapy dog Violet is very busy on Thursday mornings. At 9:00, Violet slips into her blue Bright Spot vest and heads to the Westhampton Elementary School to listen to stories read by fourth graders. The Thursday reading slot is shared by two other Bright Spot Reading Buddies, Zack, the handsome Border Collie, and Lilo, the stately Great Dane. They alternate weeks.
I love observing how Lily, my blue belton English Setter, and Violet, Berkshire Hills Australian Labradoodle, interact with the kids. The two dogs are very different. Lily is a quiet, soulful, affectionate dog. She sidles up to the kids, looking at them with her soft, dark-brown eyes, soaking up the 
attention they bestow on her. Lily craves one-on-one attention. Violet, on the other hand, is full of bounce. She’s a happy-go-lucky girl with twinkling hazel eyes that radiate like sunshine. Different personalities, for sure, but they both make superb Reading Buddies. They’re both great listeners! They do their job very well.
Violet’s reading session ends at 9:40. After saying good-bye to Karen, the librarian, who always gives her a big hug, she bounces out the door, jumps into the car and we head over to the nearby nursing home. Here she greets her favorite fans – the physical therapists. We always head first to the gym where they work with patients on their rehab. Each one of them takes a few minute’s break to pet Violet. They love her soft, silky coat. Violet’s hazel eyes twinkle and she gives each one her clownish smile. Then it’s time to visit with the residents – upstairs and down. Everyone wants to pet this happy girl. On days like this when she’s done double duty, she’s one very tired girl by the time she hits home!