“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx
Dogs and books are two of my favorite things. Did you know that bringing the two together can help children improve their reading skills? A team of researchers from the Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction report that children who read aloud to dogs have much better attitudes about reading than those who don’t. The author reasons that doing so presents a less judgmental environment for learning. Reading to a dog, they explain, is less stressful than reading aloud to a room of potentially negative peers.
Struggling and reluctant readers often lack confidence when reading, especially when reading aloud. When a child reads to an animal, there is no judgment. The animal remains a consistent listening companion. Over time, a child will begin to feel more comfortable reading aloud, thus building reading confidence. Reading fluency, including reading speed and phrasing, improves with reading aloud and practicing the same material over and over. This safe listening environment provides opportunities for kids to rack up lots of practice time.
The first organization to do this was Intermountain Therapy Animals with its Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) program. Founded in 1999, the mission of the READ program is to “improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.” Since the program’s start in Salt Lake City, Utah, it has now grown to include more than 3,500 registered therapy dog teams in the United States, Europe, and South Africa.
Local Dog Reading Programs
Read to a Dog at the San Antonio Public Library
San Antonio has several opportunities available that combine our four-legged friends with childhood literacy.
Many locations of the San Antonio Public Library offer scheduled reading times with trained dogs and their handlers. My granddaughters and I recently visited the Brook Hollow branch to read a book with Emmy, one of the two dogs comfortably waiting for visitors in the children’s area of the library. Emmy was all ears as she listened to Sophia read her selection. All she asked for in return was a few belly rubs. Search for “read to a dog” in the Events section of the SAPL website to find locations, dates and times for this program.
StoryTails with Therapy Animals of San Antonio
The StoryTails Literacy program pairs a registered dog and handler team with a child to provide one-to-one reading practice in a safe, nurturing environment. StoryTails benefits children in school districts in San Antonio and La Vernia who struggle with reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence. This is done on a weekly basis with assigned children for the entire school year. Teams also read with children at libraries in San Antonio, Bulverde, New Braunfels, and Kerrville. Learn more about this program run by Therapy Animals of San Antonio on their website.
Paws 4 Hearts
Based out of Spring Branch, The Paws 4 Hearts therapy dog teams are trained and specialize in the R.E.A.D. Program at local schools & libraries. This program currently has 13 trained and certified teams employing their motto that Readers Make Great Leaders.
PAWSitive Reading
Delta Pet Partners of San Antonio shares the comfort of companion animals at various settings in the greater San Antonio area. This human-services organization was founded in 1977 and is dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being through positive interactions with animals. This all-volunteer, nonprofit organization participates in animal-assisted therapy programs and educational presentations that promote the benefits of the human/animal connection. Their reading program, PAWSitive Reading, is a literacy program that matches Pet Partner teams with elementary students who need a little extra assistance with improving their reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence.
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