Paws and pages: Kids read to furry friends

Handler Monica Vogel and her therapy dog Bala, a golden retriever, sit on the left, while Jamie Levesque and her children, Maddie and Ethan, are on the right during the PAWS to READ event at Eden Prairie Library. Photos by Jeremy Peyer

Young readers found a furry audience at the Eden Prairie Library on Saturday during the “Read With an Animal” event.

Children in grades 1-3 practiced reading aloud to certified therapy animals in a program designed to build confidence and improve literacy skills. Most participants read to friendly dogs, though some libraries occasionally host other animals through the North Star Therapy Animals’ PAWS to READ initiative.

The event featured 15-minute reading sessions, giving children a chance to practice reading while cuddling with attentive, four-legged listeners. For future sessions, readers can register in advance or upon arrival.

Colin O’Keefe sits with Max, a black-and-white therapy dog and handler Stacy Kerns from North Star Therapy Animals of Pet Partners during the PAWS to READ event at Eden Prairie Library.

Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.