WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Two special friends were at the West Des Moines Library on Sunday as part of the ARL of Iowa’s TheraPets program.

Sensory Spaces are metro libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment this can include quiet browsing, special programs, and similar adaptive services.

Along with the West Des Moines library, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, and Waukee all participate in TheraPets, which usually occur a few times a year.

Megan Matamoros, ARL of Iowa Director of Shelter Operations, brought bunnies Renaldo and Lola to the library Sunday.

“I’ve had them part of the team for about three years, and we go to different libraries, hospitals and memory care clinics throughout the metro area. And we spend time with people, newborns, all the way up to elderly,” said Matamoros.

Matamoros says all TheraPets go through evaluations to make sure they are behaviorally compatible and receive regular veterinary check-ups to ensure they are safe for their visitors.

Matamoros helped get TheraPets up and running and say’s the bunnies with her Sunday are a huge part of that journey.

“I realized, I found Lola in the shelter, and she just had a really calm demeanor about her,” said Matamoros. “I figured that she would be great to bring that therapeutic aspect that animals bring to people to bring it around.”

Maggie Martin, West Des Moines Library Information Coordinator, has worked to bring inclusion to the library and says events like this help bring more readers and curious minds to the library.

“I think seeing that human and animal bond was really exciting, and people read books to the animals today,” said Martin “The bunnies that were here and just seeing the joy on people’s faces as they would come and go from the room was just, just wonderful.”

To learn more about TheraPets you can visits the ARL of Iowa’s website.