The Woodlands Children's Museum to host Montgomery Pet Partners

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Children will have a chance to meet several furry heroes on Friday, April 13, during two special activities at The Woodlands Children’s Museum.

Beginning at 11 a.m., children can delight in listening to “Ben: The Very Best Furry Friend.” The book by Holly Raus is about a therapy dog who helps children strengthen their reading skills and brings joy to nursing home residents.

After the story, until 12:15 p.m., museum visitors will have an opportunity to meet and interact with several therapy dogs from Montgomery Pet Partners.

“There’s something very moving about what therapy dogs bring to the environment,” said Angela Colton, executive director of the museum. “And in cooperation with literacy programs, therapy dogs’ ability to boost children’s confidence in reading is phenomenally measurable."

Montgomery Pet Partners, a local nonprofit organization, volunteers in multiple settings, with a focus of developing literacy through R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), a program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Through R.E.A.D., trained, certified dogs and their human owners work with emerging readers, one child at a time, to help them improve their literacy skills.

The friendly therapy dogs patiently listen to children read to them, putting the children at ease. The sessions bolster the students’ confidence and show them reading can be fun.

Jeanice Hall, president of Montgomery Pet Partners, said therapy dogs have a way of calming and empowering children. The dogs have no biases and do not judge, and as a result, children don’t feel self-conscious as they read to them.

“Therapy dogs effortlessly cross all socioeconomic lines,” Hall added. “Children master reading skills because they’re in an environment where they feel comfortable. It promotes a very positive bond between children and pets.”

Promoting children’s literacy also is a priority for Holly Raus, who wrote “Ben: The Very Best Furry Friend,” about her beloved golden retriever and his adventures as a therapy dog. One of the ways Raus and Ben volunteered together was to work with reluctant readers through Tales for Tails, a library program in Gilford, N.H.

“I saw a huge impact,” Raus said. “Children petted the dog while they were reading – studies show petting a dog lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. The children started to practice reading more and became more fluent.”

Storybook Theatre and Montgomery Pet Partners’ appearance are included in the museum’s regular daily admission, which is $6 for visitors age 1 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The Woodlands Children’s Museum is recommended for ages 7 and younger.

For more information, visit woodlandschildrensmuseum.org or call 281-465-0955.