Seven-year-old Sam Cox kneels on a blanket, opens a book and starts to read.
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The sentences come slowly at first, and then more confidently.
Without saying a word, his audience, Maggie, is all ears, offering warm-eyed acknowledgment — and maybe a tail wag or two.
As part of Reading with Furry Friends, a free program launched recently at the Mountville Area Library, children can read to dogs — and one cat.
The one-hour Monday-afternoon program, geared toward kindergartners through third-graders, generally utilizes five animals, including therapy dogs from Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services of Lancaster, which provides animal-assisted therapy and activities.
"It's fun and entertaining," says Sam, whose mother, Kate, a KPETS volunteer, brings Bo, a black Newfoundland.
"(The dogs) don't rush you."
For more than five years, KPETS has helped create similar programs at several county libraries, but this is a first in Mountville. More than 50 children have read to animals at the three program sessions so far.
Inside a room with plenty of floor space, pet owners sit with their animals, spreading out blankets and offering human encouragement to the young readers.
"There's such a benefit for the kids," says Carol Hopwood, who owns Maggie, a mellow Golden retriever.
Megan Shirk, 7, reads to Kayla, a Golden retriever who sprawls on her back, her head on the knee of her owner, Bobbie Garber.
"Sometimes it's kind of scary reading (out loud), but here you can pet the dogs while you read," Megan says.
"She loves it," says her mother, Jodi.
Lisa Smith watches from the sidelines as her daughter, Madeline, 4, runs her fingers along the back of Scooby, a Boxer owned by Judy Bechtel.
"It's great for (Madeline)," Smith says. "I think she enjoys learning to read, and she loves animals."
Lissa Holland, Mountville library branch manager, is pleased with the success of Reading with Furry Friends and is hoping for its continued growth.
For kids in the early, tentative stages of reading and a little intimidated by reading out loud, a dog doesn't judge, she says.
KPETS originally started as a small church group but became a nonprofit organization in 2003 and now has an office at 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster.
"We are now up to over 175 registered therapy teams, serving 10 counties, including two in Maryland," says Karen Gerth, KPETS founder and executive director. "KPETS provides registered therapy teams wherever the human/animal bond may help people."
Dogs and their owners serve people of all ages, venturing into a variety of places, including health-care centers, Hospice and schools, and even work one-on-one with special-needs children.
The canine-reading program for kids is another positive way to serve the community, says Jennifer Rule, KPETS volunteer, events and facility coordinator.
It has become a bit of a "pet" project.
She also says she believes KPETS has much to "bark" about.
"I always thought we're the best-kept secret in Lancaster — we could easily provide a story each month of an up-close look at our services to pull on heartstrings."
Dogs can open doors — and even books.
"The great thing about (Reading with Furry Friends) is it can serve children of all reading levels," Holland says. "Kids can come in and read a book and enjoy the dog."
Going To The Dogs
WHAT: Reading with Furry Friends
WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays, through Aug. 3
WHERE: Mountville Area Library, 2 College Ave.
CONTACT: Preregistration is required. Call 285-3231.
CONTACT THE NEW ERA: sjurgelski@LNPnews.com or 291-8756
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