What is the FURever As Friends Reading Program?

FURever As Friends is a certified pet therapy team that brings the S.M.I.L.E. (Silent Mentors in Literacy Education) program to schools and libraries. The goal of the S.M.I.L.E. program is to improve, encourage, and nurture the literacy skills of children with the help of certified pet therapy pets in library and school settings (FURever, n.d.).

How does it work?

Register for a program online or with your local Youth Services Librarian. Choose a book and pick a therapy pet to read to!

What can I read?

Your child(ren) can read whatever they want! Books, magazines, poems, etc. all count.

What are the ages?

The S.M.I.L.E. program is for all ages. It is not just for children who know how to read. Babies and toddlers may bring their favorite board books and show pictures or pretend read. No one is too young to start reading!