Reading Time With Ivy, The Therapy Dog

The Alliance Française de Portland is delighted to offer a unique opportunity for children to practice their French reading skills in a fun and relaxed environment. The "Reading Time With Ivy, The Therapy Dog" program is designed to help young learners build confidence in reading, improve pronunciation, and develop a lifelong love of books in French.

For early readers, this program is a chance to practice reading aloud in a calm, non-judgmental setting. For those who already read well, it’s an enjoyable way to strengthen their skills and nurture their passion for French literature.

About your hosts

Children will have the opportunity to read aloud to Ivy, a calm and affectionate seven-year-old black Labrador who lives to please the humans around her, and her owner, Stéphanie Fernandes. Ivy is a  therapy dog and has been registered with Pet Partners since 2022. She visits places like Lincoln High School, Randall Children’s Hospital, and Nexus Family Healing Center, bringing comfort and connection to people of all ages.

Originally from Montréal, Québec, Stéphanie has lived in the Portland metro area since 2004. A passionate advocate for the French language, she chose to raise her three children in French from birth and volunteered for over a decade at L’École Française Internationale de l’Oregon (FISO) while they attended school there, from 2010 to 2023. She continues to support the French program at Lincoln High School. Stéphanie’s warm, encouraging presence, combined with Ivy’s gentle nature, creates a safe and joyful space where young readers can build confidence, practice their French, and experience the unique joy of reading to a caring, four-legged listener. Stéphanie and Ivy are thrilled to now bring their animal therapy program to the Alliance Française, offering children a special way to connect with both language and kindness.

How It Works:

• Open to all independent readers, starting at age 6.
  
• Each event is limited to four children.
  
• Every child will read individually for 15 minutes.
  
• Sessions last 60 minutes total, with back-to-back readings.
  
• Books will be provided by the Alliance Française and selected based on the child's age and level.
  
• Families must register in advance. Once registered, you’ll receive a follow-up with your child’s specific reading time.
  
• The sessions take place at the Alliance Française de Portland.
  

This program is free and open to all, though we warmly encourage memberships and optional donations to help support educational and cultural programs like this one. Memberships start at just $20 a year and directly contribute to keeping community events like this possible. RSVPs are accepted until the Friday evening before the Saturday event.

Come share the joy of reading in French—one wagging tail at a time!