I love dogs. They are such smart, kind, and big-hearted animals. So I love hearing stories about amazing dogs who help those who need it. I have a cousin who trains service dogs, so it is a cause that is near to my heart. I have spent a lot of time talking to my daughter about service dogs and their training. So I was thrilled to check out this adorable children’s book about service dogs, starring a sweet dog named Boomer!

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Meet Boomer

Boomer at Your Service was written by Vanessa Keel and illustrated by Adriana Bergstrom. Boomer is an adorable dog who is celebrating service dog graduation day with his friends at Pupperdine Academy. All of the dogs are excited to meet their new families. But when a bee lands on Boomer’s nose, he panics and causes a big mess. Embarrassed by his actions, Boomer runs away. He tries his best to help people that he comes across in his wandering, but somehow he keeps getting into more trouble. But when he finds a lost kitten, it just may lead him to where he is supposed to be.

The sweet story is accompanied by soft illustrations highlighting the adorable puppy and his friends. Kids will find themselves rooting for the dog and his mission to find a family. The illustrations show the intense emotions that Boomer deals with as he struggles to find his place, and the joy he finds when he is finally able to help people.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to the author about what inspired her to write this beautiful story.

What inspired you to write this story?

I have been a dog lover my entire life. In fact, when I was a kid, I used to pretend to be a dog at my parent’s dinner parties. As I grew older, I realized crawling on the floor barking under the table was a source of embarrassment for my mom and dad. I decided to use this as a bargaining chip. I told them I would stop acting like a puppy if we got one of our own. I’m not sure if that was THE driving factor in getting our family beloved dog, but I like to think it played a big part. Haha. I know I should expect payback one day from my own kid.

So, choosing a dog for my main character was a no-brainer. And I knew I wanted to find a really important subject to write about. A service dog came to mind because they are real-life superheroes to the kids they serve, and I wanted to highlight their work. But, how could I find a way to write about this subject to not only teach kids about all of the ways service dogs help people and also include a valuable lesson? That’s how Boomer came to be. He is a loveable dog who longs to be a service dog, but we soon find out he doesn’t have the discipline it takes to become one. Boomer never gives up though, and he eventually finds his true purpose in life as a therapy dog.

Why was it important for you to write about service dogs?

Kids have loved dog characters for ages. Some of my favorites are Clifford, Lassie, and Pluto. But from the beginning, I wanted my book to serve a special purpose, just like its main character. That’s why I chose to feature service and therapy dogs as my subject matter. It provides a platform to showcase what these incredible animals do for children with special needs, while also providing representation for kids who don’t necessarily always get to see someone who looks like them in their favorite media. I think it’s really important for kids to know they don’t have limits for their dreams and that everyone has a special place in this world.

What do you hope kids and parents take from this story?

I want all kids and parents to learn a very important lesson. It’s one I think our children need to learn at a young age and it’s that everyone deserves to be loved and accepted for who they are. Boomer is misunderstood and doesn’t make it as a service dog, but he never gives up. He keeps going until he finds a loving family who accepts him for who he is and helps him find his true potential. The kindness and love Boomer receives from Cecilia is the courtesy we should bestow on everyone we meet, especially those who may need it most.

Related Post: How Your Dog Can Help Your Child with Reading

Learning with Boomer

My daughter fell in love with Boomer.  So she was very excited when I printed out the coloring pages and activity guide that pair with the story. The Boomer website offers a wealth of resources for families to extend the learning. Not only are there coloring pages featuring the adorable main character, but also mazes, puzzles, and thought provoking questions to encourage kids to consider how they can help others like Boomer does. There is also a printable Teacher Guide with discussion questions and activities.

How Can You Get Involved?

In addition to the fun printable resources, the author’s website also provides information on the organization Merlin’s KIDS, which the author supports. This non-profit organization provides individually trained service dogs to those who need them. Check out their website to learn more. If you and your children are interested in learning more about service dogs and therapy dogs, do some research about organizations in your area that are looking for help or volunteers!

Do you have a favorite book about service dogs? Share in the comments below!

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