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At Girard Free Library ... Some bunny to read to
GIRARD
Girard Free Library was host Tuesday to four therapy rabbits who were patient, good listeners to an enthusiastic group of young children gleefully practicing their reading.
“Inspiring kids to read” is the purpose of the program, said Maria Selak, the library’s longtime children’s librarian.
The rabbits came from a rescue and sanctuary in North Lima, run by Sassy Pickard, who is national vice president of Bunnies in Baskets (Therapy Rabbits).
Rabbits are very smart and friendly and attentive and easy to train, said Pickard, of Youngstown, who has taken the therapy rabbits on the road in the past.
The kids, generally from age 4 to 12, take it all very seriously and put their books close to the bunnies, nestled in their baskets, so they can see.
There is also a lot of petting going on.
“They are so soft,” said one little girl as she stroked Natalie BunBun, a Dutch breed. “I love reading,” she said.
Other breeds on hand for listening and being petted were Sara, a Lionhead dwarf breed; Golden Rod, a Netherland dwarf breed, and Wyatt, a Holland lop-eared breed.
“I never knew there was anything like this, said Robin Coursey of Girard, who brought her son, Christopher Mohn, 5, to the event.
Christopher, a kindergarten student at Prospect Elementary School in Girard, liked reading to the bunnies so much he entertained both Sara and Natalie BunBun, whose handler is Jill Williams of North Lima.
Williams said bunnies contained in baskets are very quiet and not intimidating to children like some larger animals can be.
The Sowers family of Girard, parents Andy and Amy and their children, Addison, 7, and twins, Avery and Alex, 5, took full advantage of the library’s program.
Addison, who did most of the reading to their rabbit, Golden Rod, said “we have reading all the time at my school.”
The Sower kids may have inherited the reading bug.
“I think the Bunnies in Baskets program is great. I was a big reader myself,” said Amy, a graduate of LaBrae High School in Leavittsburg.
The Bunnies in Baskets were supplied by Frisky Ferrets, Fuzzies & Feathered Friends Rescue Sanctuary.
Besides the Bunnies in Baskets, F5RS services include educational programming, small animal massage, rehabilitation, behavior modification, grooming, hands-on workshops, bunny bonding boot camp, Hops for the Homeless and Read to Somebunny.
For information, email f5rescue@yahoo.com.