Dog Team Profile

Banjo & Rhonda!

Banjo and Rhonda are one of SitStayRead’s beloved dog teams, helping young readers build confidence, comfort, and joy through reading.

Certified Good Boy

Meet Banjo

Banjo is a handsome mixed-breed dog with soft white fur and brown patches, plus one brown eye and one blue eye that make him especially memorable. He is gentle, calm, and smart—exactly the kind of dog who helps children feel safe, welcome, and ready to read.

Blue animal paw prints of various sizes scattered on a plain white background, with the largest print on the left and smaller prints trailing to the right.
A dog with heterochromia wears a blue bandana that reads "Reading Service Dog." The dog has light fur and is sitting indoors in sunlight.

Banjos’ Adoption Story

Banjo was adopted from PAWS Chicago on April 20, 2019, by Rhonda’s daughter, a veterinarian. She had originally been looking for a senior dog and almost passed him by because he was only about eight months old. After meeting other dogs who were not quite the right fit, staff encouraged her to give Banjo another look. It turned out to be love at first sight.

Banjo’s Personality

Like every SitStayRead reading dog, Banjo has a personality all his own. From his favorite activities to his quirky dislikes, these little details are what make him such a memorable companion for the students he meets.

Red heart icon with a white paw print in the center, symbolizing love for animals or pets, on a light gray circular background.

Banjo’s Favorite Things

Banjo’s signature move is walking between your legs and stopping halfway so you can gently squeeze him, rock him side to side, and pet his rump. He loves affection, attention, and being close to his people.

Blue cross with a white paw print in the center, suggesting a veterinary or pet care symbol.

Banjo’s Least Favorite Things

Banjo is not a fan of getting his nails clipped, swimming, small yippy dogs walking past the house, or being told he cannot eat the cat’s food.

Illustration of a hand reaching to pet a dog's head with a red heart above the dog, symbolizing affection or care for animals.

Banjo’s Perfect Day

Banjo’s ideal day includes camping, running off leash in the woods with family, eating plenty of food, and enjoying warm summer weather. He also loves the rare moments when the family cat decides to play with him.

Cartoon illustration of a person with brown hair and a blue jacket sitting next to a gray dog wearing a red collar.

Banjo’s Nicknames

Banjo got his name from Rhonda’s daughter’s love of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Over time, he has earned a fun collection of nicknames, including Bboy, Banj, Bob Barker, and Banjito.

A medium-sized dog with white and tan fur sits on a red rug indoors, looking back over its shoulder near a fireplace.
An adult reads a book to two children sitting on a rug while a therapy dog lies nearby; other people are in the background.
A woman sits holding a leash attached to a bulldog lying on the floor, while a young boy sits across from them in a room with wooden cabinets.
A medium-sized brown and white dog with a blue bandana lies on a red blanket indoors, mouth open, next to a seated person holding its leash.

Meet Banjo’s Human

How Rhonda Found SitStayRead

Rhonda discovered SitStayRead in 2009 at Bark in the Park. Although her wired-hair terrier was too nervous for the program, Rhonda immediately felt drawn to the organization. As a retired English teacher and dog lover, becoming a Book Buddy volunteer felt like a natural fit. Later, when Banjo joined the family, she trained him as a reading dog—and he passed on his first try.

Meet More SitStayRead Dog Teams

Every SitStayRead dog team brings a unique personality to the program, but they all share one important role: helping children feel more confident as readers.

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