Sometimes teams of therapy dogs and their human partners learn the children they’re visiting are going through some very troubling times. Dealing with sadness over the loss of a person or a pet is one of the most difficult things anyone of any age has to deal with, and a gentle therapy dog can be a great comfort.

On the subject of children’s bereavement, the following books, with beautiful photos and comforting, sensitive stories, have been used and are recommended by people working with children reading to certified therapy dogs. For a brief description of these stories, click on the book titles below. If you have other titles to recommend, please send an e-mail to librarydogs@cox.net.

If Nathan Were Here, by Mary Bahr
Remember the Secret, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Heather Preston
Tear Soup, by Pat Schweibert, Chuck Klyen, and Taylor Bills (illustrator)
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, by Leo Buscaglia
What We Do When Someone Dies, by Caroline Arnold
Why Did Grandpa Die? by Barbara Shook Hazen

Especially for the loss of a pet:

When a Pet Dies, by Fred Rogers
Badger’s Parting Gifts, by Susan Varley
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, by Judith Viorst