Good buddies, good books

COEUR d'ALENE — Reading can be more fun with friends.

When those friends are furry, it's paws down a great time.

“I think I want to do it again," said Emmy Wolter, 8, of Coeur d'Alene, who participated Monday in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library's Paws to Read program.

Nestled on the floor of the story cabin in the children's library, Emmy visited with volunteer Christy Corley and Corley's therapy dog, 6-year-old golden retriever Phoebe.

“I really want her to stay forever," Emmy said.

Emmy gave the docile canine good belly scratches and snuggles as a few other little ones came and went through the story cabin with books in hand.

“I love to see their smiles," Corley said. “They go, ‘Puppy!’ or ‘Dog!'"

She said it tends to be the little ones about 5 or 6 who bring books over to read with their new furry friend.

"They’re still trying to figure out how to read, so I say, ‘Phoebe loves to read, can you help her read that book?’" Corley said. "So it promotes reading, which is something we all want for the kids.”

The all-ages Paws to Read gives little literature lovers and avid readers in the making opportunities to cozy up with a book while in the calming presence of therapy animals.

“The children become more comfortable with the dogs,” Corley said.

Emmy's mom, Amanda Wolter, said it was their family's first time participating in the program.

“I think it’s awesome," she said. "We love anything that incorporates animals and therapy and reading all at the same time."

It's a win-win, as Emmy is a fan of animals as well as books.

"She loves reading," Wolter said. "We’re working our way through 'Harry Potter' right now."

Paws to Read will be making tails wag again from 10:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 8 and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

Info: cdalibrary.org