People all over the Highlands have had the pleasure of meeting volunteers and dogs from Paws Pet Therapy, from hospital patients to nursing home residents, and now the Highlands' youngest will also benefit.

Dogs from Paws Pet Therapy will meet with children aged between four and eight at Bowral Library this year for Paws 'n' Tales, following the great success of a pilot program for reading on the south coast last year.

Paws Pet Therapy president Sharon Stewart, who has 30 years' nursing experience in disability and aged care, crossed over into pet therapy about eight years ago.

"I started Paws Pet Therapy to service the Highlands area, and now we've grown to about 38 sites and 40-odd volunteers," she said.

"Pet therapy uses trained volunteers and dogs, who work together as a team, and provide support to patients, residents and clients in public and private hospitals, palliative care units, aged care, oncology and rehab groups."

The demand for the service grew quickly as people noticed the dogs and the positive influence they had on their clients.

"We've gotten to the point where each dog has their own case load of patients now," Ms Stewart said.

Paws Pet Therapy is proud to be the first Australian affiliate of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) program, which began in Salt Lake City, Utah in the USA.

The mission of the program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.

The program runs throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, France, Sweden, Slovenia, Norway and beyond.

Ms Stewart said the READ program utilised the dogs as "non-judgmental readers" that the children could read to, and grow their self-confidence.

"There were nine kids in the pilot program in Nowra and they all went up two reading levels, but it's not just that benefit," she said.

"The kids have so much more confidence, a willingness to try new things, participate in drama, give speeches and that kind of thing."

Volunteer support for the READ program has been strong, with 21 volunteers involved ahead of this year's Paws 'n' Tales launch in the Highlands.

"For the first time we don't really need volunteers as much, but we're really interested in getting some sponsors on board," Ms Stewart said.

"It would be nice to form associations with people and work out how we can help each other, we'll have different levels of sponsorship and would love to involve some local businesses too.

Part of the READ philosophy is that all READ sessions with the pet therapy are free, so no child is left behind.

"Now that we're a registered charity, we're able to accept donations to make sure we can keep doing what we're doing and help as many people as possible."

Anyone looking to offer sponsorship, make a donation or inquire about upcoming READ programs should contact Paws Pet Therapy on 4861 0499, or call Sharon on 0418 869 181 or email sharon.paws@hotmail.com