SHARON — The 14th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Hotchkiss Library will be held Friday, Aug. 6.
Two of the authors attending will be Rachel McPherson and ABC News reporter Brian Ross.
McPherson’s book, “Every Dog Has a Gift,†is a collection of inspiring stories about how dogs, including animal therapy dogs, service dogs and even plain untrained dogs, have helped humans.
“Anyone who has a relationship with a dog knows nothing is more valuable than the love we give them and the love they give us back in return,†McPherson said. “The most important thing about this book is that it tells stories about how dogs bring these kinds of feelings into people’s lives.â€
McPherson is the founder and executive director of The Good Dog Foundation, the largest animal-assisted therapy organization on the East Coast.
In the book, she draws upon her experiences and those of other people with dogs.
“The book has a fabulous story about a single mother who raises money to train a service dog named Chad,†McPherson said. “She’s getting the dog for her 11-year-old autistic son. When she gets the dog, her son makes incredible strides. Eventually, he gets off of his medicine, thanks to the dog. The story is about a true gift.â€
McPherson lives in Brooklyn and has a weekend house in Milan, N.Y.
She has only been to The Hotchkiss Library once, during a fundraiser last fall.
However, she said it made a memorable impression on her.
“It is a beautiful library, and definitely a treasure for Sharon and the surrounding areas,†she said. “I think, in the culture of a community, there is always a need for a library. Even with electronic books and the Internet, it’s still very important to have the written word and the availability of books. There is nothing like holding onto a great book and reading it.â€
Brian Ross, who has been in the broadcast journalism business for more than 35 years, will be signing his book, “The Madoff Chronicles: Inside the Secret World of Bernie and Ruth.â€
“Everyone who got taken thought that Bernie Madoff was something special,†Ross said. “He persuaded a lot of smart people that he had a secret recipe for making money. He was so highly regarded, and even the federal government was afraid to crack down on him.
“I’m not even so sure if people have learned from what happened, but at least for a few years people will be cautious.â€
Ross has lived in Sharon since 1986 and is a member of the Hotchkiss Library board.
“I started going to the Hotchkiss Library when my son was growing up and doing homework on the weekends,†Ross said. “I think the library is the great cultural center of Sharon. My family believes in reading and writing. I think the generations that are growing up need a library, it totally enhances a community.â€
The library building in itself is a historical and architectural treasure, he said.
“We want to keep what’s in the library itself in good shape and we want it to stay current,†he said. “We want it to have all of the advantages of a modern library without it losing its inherent charm.â€
The 14th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing will be held on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Hotchkiss Library, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Admission is $25 and will include a wine bar and hors d’oeuvres.
For more information, call 860-384-5041 or visit hotchkisslibrary.org.
