R.E.A.D program returns to Whitefish library

Reading Education Assistance Dogs, or R.E.A.D., a program of Intermountain Therapy Animals is returning to the Whitefish Community Library beginning on Tuesday, May 3, in the library’s Heckathorn community room. Readings will begin after school every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. with each session lasting approximately 15 minutes.

R.E.A.D. is a program focused on improving children’s reading and communication skills. The dogs are trained, tested, registered, liability-insured therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings.

R.E.A.D. dogs are great listeners. They are nonjudgmental and provide a relaxed, comfortable, safe and fun environment for both the children and the dogs. The benefit of reading to a dog can result in enormous strides in reading, confidence building and communication skills.

“When children read to dogs, the experience is just magical – there’s no other way to describe it,” says Dana Tumpowsky, Director of Public Relations at Salt Lake City Library.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in this popular program. While registration times are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. Please call the Whitefish Community Library at 406-862-9914 for more information.