Local children can read some tales to furry friends with tails through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program at any of the three Summit County Library branches.

The program, overseen by Intermountain Therapy Animals, a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit that provides animal-assisted interactions and therapies to communities in Utah and Montana, helps kids improve their reading skills, said Children’s Librarian Kirsten Nilsson.

“While this is open to all early readers, it is especially good for kids who may struggle with reading for any reason, (whether they) may not be reading at their grade level or just not comfortable reading out loud,” she said. “The nice thing is the kids know that the dog isn’t going to judge them. So they lose their inhibitions and forget there may

See Full Page