Several years ago, Kempsville Elementary Teacher Jodi Sisson began volunteering on a regular basis with the SPCA.Through her volunteerism, she met Sharon Coffey and Dana “Paul” Wilson. Together, the three launched KES’s “Listening Ears” program, where each week Coffey and Wilson would bring in rabbits and guinea pigs to Sisson’s, Carolyn Leal’s and Carol Kinsey’s classrooms. Students would come out to the hallway, one by one, to practice reading aloud to one of the animals.

Among the traveling reading herd is a handsome elderly guinea pig named Walter, a large rabbit called Nigel and a smaller, younger white rabbit, George. Sometimes the students ask to walk George the white rabbit in his specially embroidered KES harness and leash.

In addition to the adorable animals, Coffey and Wilson will also being small incentives for the students like bookmarks, bracelets, stickers, photo pins of the animals and more.

Coffey and Wilson have faithfully brought their small, furry friends every Friday for the past five years to Kempsville Elementary to listen to young children read. They also support the annual KES Reading Month Night and bring in both rabbits and guinea pigs to the event.

For more information on the “Listening Ears” program at KES, contact Jodi Sisson at 648.2720; for more information about the Chesapeake Bay Guinea Pig Rescue, call Sharon Coffey at 757.420.2376.