Students who find themselves needing assistance in learning how to listen --- and appreciate the value of reading --- could take a lesson or two from Merton.

Because when it comes to paying attention, few do it as well as Merton, a female black Labrador retriever who, three times a week, lends her ears and loving presence to the students at Incarnation School in Glendale. Not only has she brought joy to the kids who read to her, Merton also has inspired many of these students to delve more deeply into the treasures of their school library.

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays --- accompanied by her "handler," parish sacristan Mona Mitchell --- an enthusiastically tail-wagging Merton enters the school library for her listening sessions.

Three pre-selected students from grades K-3 are excitedly awaiting their individual turns with Merton (who belongs to Incarnation's pastor, Father Paul Hruby) in a library hall corner. There they will read personally-chosen books out loud to their beloved canine friend. Many of the books have animal or monster themes.

Third-grader Zachary Romero recently finished reading "Summer of the Sea Serpent" to Merton. "I've read to her three times this year. I think she likes me. She always comes to me and licks me when I first get here," said Romero. He enjoys hand-shaking Merton's paw and feels the dog considers him a friend.

Mitchell, who started bringing Father Hruby's dog over after the Easter break, said the children are thrilled when they can read to Merton. "They're very enthusiastic about wanting to read, and they don't want to stop. We have a ten-minute limit with the children, and they want to go beyond. They say: 'One more chapter, one more chapter.' All of them," said Mitchell, a dog-owner who believes dogs have a calming effect on people. She has also taken Merton to cheer residents at a local rest home.

"I think the kids really enjoy reading to Merton and it's very rewarding for me," said Mitchell. "I get a kick out of watching the kids enjoy the dog."

Librarian Nerisha Hihn said Merton is a great motivator for struggling readers. "We have done some research on the Internet. [Studies] indicate reading to a dog sometimes helps kids who have had some difficulty in their reading," said Hihn. "I think it builds their confidence. All the children want the opportunity to read to the dog and they're all excited about it."

Pictures of animals line the walls and stuffed animals, many of them representing book characters, decorate the room. "I think the color and the different animals I have here help to make it exciting to come to the library," said Hihn. "I think the library is more than just a place where students come to take a test. They come here to explore books."

Fifth-grader Katie Hartwig, who often volunteers her time as a computer-savvy librarian's assistant, said she enjoys reading at the library with her classmates during their weekly scheduled session. "I just think it's a lot of fun that kids have the chance to read all these different books in the library," said Hartwig.

"I like the library because I get to read," added classmate Dani Chavez. "My house is noisy, my dog barks. I don't really get a lot of quiet time. And even though most of the time I talk in here, it's still good because there's so many books and I just like looking at them and reading above my level."