A Manatee County library branch has a new patron, a brown and white long-haired dachshund.
Mister is a service dog to library aide Terri Simon, who is hearing impaired.
Mister lies down on his blanket when Simon works the service desk.
Trained to recognize both words and sounds, Mister alerts Simon when the computer system beeps to indicate an unusual check in.
When Simon is in the public area, she ties Mister’s leash to her belt, now a regular piece of her work attire, to free her hands
And with a stroke of his paw to Simon’s leg, Mister alerts Simon to any patron needing her help.
You can find Simon and Mister at the South Manatee branch, across the street from State College of Florida.
Just ask before petting Mister.
“I ask that people wait until he is off duty, meaning not tied to me, so he can stay focused,” said Simon. “He will bark at you as a warning if people still try to pet him.”