Shelby Farms Park is excited to open up the Outback, the park's off-leash dog park, with new improvements that significantly improve safety for dogs and their owners and offer patrons an opportunity to commemorate beloved pets in a place that is special to them.

New features include:

• New “bull pen” style entrance gate that allows controlled access and exit.  The double gated system allows visitors and their pets to leash and unleash in a safe holding area between the entrance and exit gate.
• A brick-lined Legacy Walk provides patrons an opportunity to commemorate beloved pets with a donation to the Outback that adds a personalized brick to the walkway
• Tree plantings, sod installation and improved signage
• Forest restoration though selective tree pruning and native understory plantings (Sweetbay Magnolias, Redbuds, deciduous Hollies and Serviceberry)
• Improved grading and drainage for adjacent parking lot

The West TN R.E.A.D Therapy Dogs literacy program is designed to help children improve their reading skills. During the event children  read stories to the West TN R.E.A.D Therapy Dogs.

The Paws for Reading event will take place Saturday, February 11 at 11 am, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Follow the link here to read more about the Children’s Literacy Program from West TN R.E.A.D Therapy Dogs.

 Information provided by Memphis Public Library

One dog is making a difference for teens who've had their fair share of problems.

He's working at the juvenile court.

His name's Maxx, a Great Pyrenees who's also apparently great at reading!

He's the Juvy Court's first canine reading therapy volunteer and Monday was his first day on the job.

Judge Curtis Person says he's thrilled Maxx is part of the team!

"Dogs are amazing," he said. "And they're so loving and I think this will be extremely for the children who are in detention."