The book Piper Finds Her Special is features the heartwarming relationship of a dog and his human friend.
Piper Finds Her Special reminds us the amazing relationship between the most famous domesticated animal and its human partners. It has been proven by researchers and dog owners alike that dog companionship can improve the general well-being of its owners, a bond that stretches back at least to the 15th century.
The phrase “a dog is a man’s best friend” was initially used by King Frederick of Prussia in 1789. He’s claimed to say that the only best and absolute friend that a man has, in this selfish society, the only one that will not deny or betray him, is his Dog.
Research suggests dog ownership may improve heart health, decrease depression, and even help you live longer – it’s a symbiotic relationship that has been as beneficial for humans, as much as our canine companions. And it’s a bond that stretches back at least 15,000 years.
That’s one possibility; some fossil evidence suggests domestication as far back as 30,000 years. If that’s true, then as a well-known Australian-American financier notes, “we loved our tail-wagging besties before inventing agriculture, language, or permanent homes and even before we domesticated cows, goats, or cats!”
It’s true because the book by Alison Keenan, “Piper Finds Her Special,” provides a peek inside the mind of a therapy dog as she discovers her unique purpose in life while giving a reading program to children. This story is true about Team Keenan, who works with children with reading challenges. Through unconditional love, the Dog and her owner help children lose their fear and anxieties while reading and, ultimately, increase their reading skills and comprehension.
Through the simple yet profound process of reading to a registered therapy dog, reading can become a pleasurable experience. By leading readers to enjoy reading, fluency, and proficiency can be improved. With therapy dog-supported tasks, the child becomes the tutor and helper for the Dog. The effects of PTSD, stress, and anxiety-related disorders can be diminished through the connection to a soft, warm, and non-judgmental animal.
What do the readers have in mind about the book?
“I like how this book was based on a true story. It showed how Piper was a great therapy dog for children. The kids loved playing with Piper or just being with Piper to read books. Piper made the kids feel loved. We bring our Dog to the nursing home where our father lives. The residents there light up when they see dogs. Maybe we’ll train our Dog to be a therapy dog too. This is a great book. We bought one for each of our grandchildren.” – Reviewed by Dale Larson.
“The story told within the book is a Great lesson for anyone, especially children. Thank You for the great read. My granddaughter will cherish the book for many years.” – Reviewed by Joe (An Amazon customer).
“I gave this book to my grandkids, ages 6 & 8. They loved it. They both can read and read it more than once. My grandson picked up on Piper’s problem with her kidney and expressed that he felt bad for her but was happy when she got help and was doing better. A good book for kids to relate to pets they might have and with training the things they can do.” – Reviewed by Barnes & Noble customer.
Author’s Profile
Alison is a Registered Nurse living in Tennessee. Following her struggle with a rare blood disease and her Dog’s kidney disease diagnosis, she plans to work with Piper, her Golden Retriever, to become a Registered Therapy dog. Both Alison and her Dog learned from their medical challenges how to turn their challenges into blessings by giving back to their community. They completed specialized training so they could provide support through a program called Reading Paws®. Together they visit schools, libraries, and other reading programs to help students improve their reading skills and comprehension. They also visit local hospitals, clinics, support groups, and programs to provide emotional support and companionship. Her book, Piper Finds Special is inspired by her experiences and encounters with dogs.
Alison graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing and enjoyed playing the bagpipes and singing in her church choir. She participates in prison ministry to incarcerated women in Tennessee. In her spare time, she enjoys scuba diving with her husband.