S.M.I.L.E. (Silent Mentors In Literacy Education) Therapy Dog Program

The S.M.I.L.E. (Silent Mentors In Literacy Education) Therapy Dog Program involves children working with therapy dogs as part of the Silent Mentors In Literacy Education Program. Activities include reading to a pet, responding to students experiencing emotional duress, and taking part in character education lessons with the therapy dogs in classrooms throughout the year.

• Ages: 5–11 years old

The program’s stated goal is to improve, encourage, and nurture the literacy skills of children with the help of certified pet therapy pets in library and school settings. The program is led by Dr. Dooley. Both therapy dogs, Skye and Hope, have been nationally certified as official therapy dogs by PetPartners and are recognized by the AKC. Skye and Hope each hold a THDD: Gold Medal of Excellence with over 400 visits to schools, libraries, and hospitals across the state, and they have become featured members of the school community. Handlers in the program participate in a rigorous training process, the school nurse coordinates regarding potential allergens, and parental consent is required before including Skye and Hope in activities with children, with parents asked to return a permission slip to the child’s teacher.

Last updated July 4, 2026.