Monroe. Library adds Millie the Therapy Cat to its Read-to-Me-Animals collection

Millie the Therapy Cat has joined the roster of Read-To-Me Animals at Monroe Free Library.

Beginning this week, children aged 4 and up could sign up to meet Millie for a story time session where the child can read aloud in a gentle, non-judgmental environment.

Reading to animals has become a popular new strategy to motivate young readers. Reluctant readers sometimes lack confidence when reading out loud, and may shy away from the idea of reading to a parent or a teacher.

With an animal, the child can stumble, hesitate and sound out words while their furry reading partner remains attentive.

The readers also form a bond with the animal and are then motivated to visit their reading partner again and again.

Millie's handler, Kimberly Edwards, adopted Millie from Scats, a feline rescue and adoption center in Newburgh. Originally, Millie was slated to be a support animal just for for Edwards, but as the pair went out and about, it became clear that Millie was well-suited to interacting with many different people.

"People couldn't resist petting her," Edwards said, "and she did really well with all the attention."

Soon, Millie began visiting group homes and participating in programs in association with Hudson Valley Honor Flight.

Millie joins therapy dogs Rocket and Maggie who have been visiting the library since 2018. The therapy animal schedule can be found at www.monroefreelibrary.org/events.

Because of high demand, the library asks that MFL patrons register same-day, either in person or over the phone at 845 783 4411.