Alice loves a good story. In fact, reading is a lot more fun when she's around.

Alice can't actually read. She is only 3 years old, and she's a dog, but she is an excellent listener. She loves to go to classrooms and libraries. Her favorite people in the world are children, specifically children who read to her.

Claire Moxim adopted Alice from the Monroe County Animal Shelter last year. Moxim, a professional dog trainer, is also a volunteer with H.A.B.I.T. (Human Animal Bond in Tennessee), a non-profit, animal-assisted therapy program of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

H.A.B.I.T. provides medically and behaviorally evaluated dogs, cats or rabbits for visits to places where the animals might ease emotional or physical suffering. H.A.B.I.T.'s Ruff Reading program uses dogs to help children who are insecure or have trouble reading build confidence and reading skills.

See full story in the Sunday, Dec. 16, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.