What is the Furry Friends Program?

Who is the program for?

Children who struggle with or are reluctant to read.

General Information

All dogs are registered with the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International and are trained to read with your child.  The child and dog will be supervised by the dog’s owner.  Sessions are 20 minutes long.  You can pick out your own books (or we can help you find some too).

What the Program Does

Furry Friends matches a reluctant or struggling reader with a nonjudgmental and furry listening ear for monitored twenty minute sessions to help the child improve their reading skills.
Numerous programs of this kind exist around the country and those who have participated have seen significant improvements in reading level and self-confidence.  

Intermountain Therapy says concerning their own similar R.E.A.D. program, “When they read with a dog, right away they start to relax, and then they forget about feeling self-conscious or nervous, and pretty soon things start to flow a little better. Before they know it, they are enjoying the experience of reading instead of dreading it, they’re even looking forward to the next time.”
The R.E.A.D. program was begun in 1999 by Sandi Martin and her furry friend Olivia.

If YOU want to participate …

Call the Greenwood Public Library’s Children’s Department or speak to one of the children's librarians.
~ 885-5035 ~

Registration is required.

Every Monday from
March 16th-April 20th 
(5:30-7:30pm)

For more information ...

• http://news.nationalgeographic.com for the article “Canine Companions May Help Kids Learn to Read”

• http://readingwithrover.com/

•http://www.therapyanimals.org/read/

•www.gplfurryfriends.blogspot.com