Accomplish With Kylie: Bunny Besties

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Often when people think of therapy animals, dogs and horses come to mind. But therapy bunnies have their own unique qualities that make them especially great with children.

Bunny Besties combines rabbits and reading for homeless children in the Twin Cities.

The bunnies and their trainers make a weekly appearance at People Serving People.

"Originally I had heard that 90 percent of homeless children have never owned a single book by age 6," Jennifer Smith, founder of Bunny Besties, said.

Smith decided to change that by not only bringing books for homeless children, but bunnies too.

"I made this my life purpose," Smith said. "Last year, we gave out more than 600 books."

Smith said the bunnies are less intimidating than other therapy animals, like dogs or horses.

"Everyone that gets a book gets some bunny to read to," Smith said. "They're just super excited and they're reading and they're getting books. So, we're putting books in their hands."

There's also the annual rabbit agility show, allowing kids to lead the bunnies through a series of obstacles.

"It's the highlight of the year. It's really cool," Gwen Campbell, Development Director of People Serving People, said. "When they're doing the bunny agility show, they are quiet. You've got toddlers sitting there quietly."

"The bunnies are very calming and very soft. A lot of our children who stay here have lives that are somewhat chaotic," Campbell said. "The bunnies are really an opportunity for that piece of calm."

To learn more about Bunny Besties, visit them online.