By Brett Fisher

  • Photos by Brett Fisher. A mermaid and her admirers are sprayed with water from Carson Hot Springs Resort's hammer spout.
    Photos by Brett Fisher. A mermaid and her admirers are sprayed with water from Carson Hot Springs Resort’s hammer spout.
  • A child reads to a small therapy dog at the Carson City Library Saturday.
    A child reads to a small therapy dog at the Carson City Library Saturday.
  • A therapy dog relaxes while listening to a child read Saturday.
    A therapy dog relaxes while listening to a child read Saturday.
  • Mermaids pose with children Saturday at Carson Hot springs Resort.
    Mermaids pose with children Saturday at Carson Hot springs Resort.
  • Mermaid Megan sits on the edge of the pool at Carson Hot Springs Resort.
    Mermaid Megan sits on the edge of the pool at Carson Hot Springs Resort.
  • A mermaid and her costumed admirer sit pool side Saturday at Carson Hot Springs Resort.
    A mermaid and her costumed admirer sit pool side Saturday at Carson Hot Springs Resort.
  • A yellow lab therapy dog rests while listening to reading Saturday.
    A yellow lab therapy dog rests while listening to reading Saturday.
  • A child pets a therapy dog Saturday while reading at the Carson City Library.
    A child pets a therapy dog Saturday while reading at the Carson City Library.

What do therapy dogs and mermaids have in common?

For one thing, they both bring joy to others. And for another, both were in Carson City Saturday.

Real-life mermaids visited Carson Hot Springs Resort for photos and videos of them swimming with youth and families.

Participants were encouraged to bring their own costumes and dress up pool side.

Ten percent of Saturday’s event proceeds went to support the Marine Conservation Institute.

At the Carson City Library Saturday morning, Tails and Wags Therapy Dogs bent their ears to children who read books to them.

Children who read to a canine companion received a free book for participating in the activity.

The program is a great opportunity to work on communication and reading skills with an attentive audience, the library said.

Only those with library accounts in good standing are eligible to participate, the library said.

Children 9 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver of at least 13 years of age at all times.