SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW: Karan Johnson

Published online on Monday, Oct. 06, 2008

Where she lives: Near Olive and Wishon avenues

Occupation: Retired Sierra Elementary School teacher

Family: She lives with her goldendoodle therapy dog, Nick, and two cats, Peri and Sami

Why should we know her? Since May, Johnson and her dog, Nick, a 3-year-old goldendoodle (golden retriever/standard poodle mix), have been volunteering at Woodward Park Regional Library as part of the Tail Wagging Tutors program. The pair makes weekly visits to the library, where children sign up to read to Nick, who is registered with Therapy Dogs International.

"It gets kids excited about reading and lets them practice in a nonjudgmental space," says Krista Riggs, children's librarian at the Woodward branch. "It also helps kids learn how to respect animals and act around animals. Karan just lights up around the kids, and they light up around her."

Johnson also has taken Nick to the rehabilitation center at San Joaquin Gardens retirement community in Fresno and to local elementary schools when she substitute teaches.

The Children Reading to Dogs program at the Woodward library started in May and targets children of reading age, generally 5-12, Riggs says.

Johnson also volunteers as a docent at The Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

"When I retired [in 2006], I knew I wanted to give back and start doing some volunteer work," says Johnson.

What are some organizations she belongs to? California Retired Teachers Association, AARP, ACLU, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Docent Society

What are her hobbies? Watching and participating in the theater (she was one of the founders of Good Company Players and has been performing and directing with them for 35 years), traveling with Nick, collecting armadillos, reading, keeping in touch with friends through the computer

What would she like to share with others? "I love this quote from Mark Twain: 'The true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.' The upcoming election is crucial and I urge everyone to get out and vote."