R.E.A.D. Therapy

Reading Education Assistance Dogs Program

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

R.E.A.D. utilizes registered therapy animals who have been trained and tested for health, safety, appropriate skills and temperament. When these special animals come to hear children read, it’s fun! And that makes all the difference. 

BUT WHY DOGS? 

Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears. “Fear can destroy intelligence,” says educator William Ayers. Animals are ideal reading companions because they: help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure listen attentively do not judge, laugh or criticize allow children to proceed at their own pace are less intimidating than peers.

WHERE DOES R.E.A.D. HAPPEN? 

R.E.A.D. programs are being implemented all across the country in: elementary schools libraries preschools and childcare facilities before- and after-school programs healthcare facilities boys and girls clubs youth detention facilities Creative new ideas and variations occur with our teams all the time!

THE RESULTS ARE SIGNIFICANT 

Participating kids make enormous strides in reading and communication skills while, along the way, building self-esteem, confidence, and social skills. And there are bonus benefits—performance in other subjects tends to improve, as does attendance and even personal hygiene.

WHAT? DOGS CAN’T READ! 

Of course they can’t, but they can be great listeners. And their presence creates an inviting and motivating environment: relaxed comfortable safe nonjudgemental empowering FUN!

WORLDWIDE MEDIA ATTENTION COMES TO R.E.A.D. 

More than 300 articles have been published about the R.E.A.D. program, from the Wall Street Journal and national magazines like Time, Parenting, Family Circle, and Our Children (of the National PTA), to national television (National Geographic “Dogs with Jobs”, Animal Planet and the Westminster Dog Show), and even to the cover of The Weekly Reader (First Grade Edition)! R.E.A.D. has also been featured in both a book and journal published by the Association for Childhood Education International.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING… 

“When children read to dogs, the experience is just magical—there’s no other way to describe it.”
– Dana Tumpowsky, Director of Public Relations Salt Lake City Library

“When my son started reading to Buddy… I started to notice how excited he was about reading, how he talked about it and about the dog all the time, and how the excitement and interest in reading carried over, even when the dog wasn’t there.”
– Keegan’s Dad, Twin Falls, Idaho

“Little did we realize what an impact you would make. Academically, those students that participated in R.E.A.D. experienced phenomenal growth. And, as icing on the cake, students began to enjoy reading to themselves. They began to exhibit a curiosity for different books; and most importantly, gained self confidence in not only their reading ability, but their ability to interact with others in positive ways. “I look forward to expanding the program to touch more children.”
– Rae Louie, Principal, Bennion Elementary School

What's a “Pawtograph”?

When children accomplish goals set in the program, they receive brand new books to keep which are “pawtographed” by their four-footed reading companions—no small reward!

Download R.E.A.D Brochure