As part of the library’s summer reading program, Bella, a 4-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux therapy dog, will be available for people to read with at 10 a.m. Friday at the public library.

“The library has been really nice in letting us start this program two years ago before Bella certified,” she said. “We’ve been taking her to the library since then.”

Attendees will pick out their favorite books to read aloud to Bella.

Owners Terry Pierce and Chris Frantz of Hillsboro decided to train Bella for therapy work after she was diagnosed with kidney disease.

“The disease will reduce her life expectancy to 3-to-5 years,” Pierce said. “With her shortened life I wanted her to leave an impact.”

Bella also makes appearances at nursing homes and a hospice.

“She’s a way to provide emotional therapy,” Pierce said. “She creates relationships with people who need them.”