WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — Some Winter Springs children are learning how to read with some help from a beagle named Toby. 

• Thom Battisto and Toby visit libraries, help kids with reading
• He's also written a learn-to-read book featuring therapy dog
• NOMINATE A HERO: Go to our Everyday Hero section to read about more Heroes and nominate someone you know

When it comes to kids, Toby and his owner are the real deal. 

With his four stocky legs and determined pant, Toby the dog races to make his next appointment at the public library.

His mission is always the same: Hunker down in the children's section of the library and help kids of all ages learn how to read.

He recently had an appointment with 7-year old Lila Vereen. 

Toby is the star of the “Read to Sydney” program started by Thom Battisto, who is actually our Everyday Hero. Battisto began this unusual reading program seven years ago with the help of his first reading dog, Sydney.

"Helping the kids now is very gratifying," Battisto said.

On a recent afternoon, Thom and Toby had three stops to make, and this past month has been packed with kids waiting to read with their favorite canine.

"You can watch a dog while you read," Lila said. "And it's just fun to experience it."

Battisto said he has an idea why the kids respond to Toby.

"The dogs are nonjudgmental," he said. "The kids feel very comfortable with him."

Besides devoting hundreds of dollars to the program, Thom has also written his own learn-to-read book. The main character is a therapy dog named Sydney. 

"We go in and we donate books to that classroom," he said. "And then every child gets their own little magazine and a bookmark and a pencil."

For his efforts, Toby gets a good pat on the head and a few dog biscuts when he gets home.

The next step for this dynamic duo is raise money for a bookmobile, so they can drive to underprivileged neighborhoods throughout the area.