PAWS for Reading: At Porter Library

Written By Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Do you want to practice your reading skills? Do you need some undivided attention? Look no further than your local library and their PAWS for reading program. Porter library invites these sweet therapy dogs the first Saturday of the month for you to hone those skills. This program is available for grades K-5. You can visit the branch or call to book your time. 

Today we are featuring Bristol.

 Bristol is a Labrador and coonhound mix adopted from a shelter in February of 2018 by Sabrina Hundley. They have been a therapy dog team since 2019.

They have visited nursing, rehabilitation, and senior centers, schools, and of course Porter Library. 

Bristol has a very calm personality and seems like an old soul. During a recent check up, the vet giggled while listening to Bristol's heart - they seldom get such a low heart rate during an exam. Bristol is so relaxed, she will take a nap just about anywhere, even in the middle of store aisles, flat out, while shopping with Sabrina.  She has perfected the art of loud snoring at home and in public places.

Bristol lives on a farm, so Bristol helps oversee the feeding of the pet cows and horses. She also keeps the three house cats in line, which offers a bonus of cleaning up their forbidden leftover cat food. 

Bristol loves going on walks and car rides. She is officially licensed as a backseat driver, yet has never complained about Sabrina's driving once. Fredericksburg's Old Mill bike path along the river is her favorite place for a weekend stroll. Getting ice cream during these excursions is expected.

Bristol’s impeccable manners and love for meeting new friends, especially children, makes her an ideal travel companion and book-reading partner. It seems Bristol's most favorite books are about cats.

Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Liz has been living in the Stafford area for the last two years. However, her ties are rooted to Virginia, as Virginia was her first duty station while she was on active duty with the Marine Corps. Her husband is still on active duty, and they hope to make Stafford their forever home with their two daughters and two rescue dogs.

While serving in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps reserves has allowed Liz to see all parts of the country and the world, there is truly no place like home. Working on this magazine gives Liz the opportunity to meet her neighbors and the local businesses and more importantly, she gets to showcase them to others.

Liz is also the founder of a nonprofit called Leave No Paws Behind USA. She led the campaign to have legislative change to include pet transportation fees included in military moves. With her leadership, the bill was passed in the FY23 National Defense Appropriation Act.

Liz is excited to continue to write the stories of the FXBG Neighbors

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