About the program:

Paws 4 Reading is a volunteer-run program to help struggling and reluctant readers. It is an animal-assisted activity that helps young people relax and concentrate while reading aloud.

What does a session look like?

A typical session involves an adult Paws 4 Reading volunteer facilitator, their registered therapy dog, and a young person. The area for reading is designated by a blanket and pillows and the reader, volunteer, and dog sit on the blanket in a comfortable way in a quiet corner of a classroom or library. The young person reads a book of their choice to the dog for a period of approximately 20 minutes. Reading tips and skills are offered from time to time by the facilitator. The total length of a session is 1 hour therefore 3 students per session can be accommodated.

Who are the members of the therapy dog team?

All adult facilitators are trained by Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) and have had a criminal records check. The dogs are registered therapy dogs and are tested for their calm and gentle manner and are owned by the volunteer.

Why read to dogs?

Research has show that being with dogs and patting dogs lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and relaxes the person who is patting the dog. These activities increase the “feel good” chemical levels in the brain. Dogs are also non-judgmental and accepting. When a child reads to a dog in a relaxed, controlled, and accepting environment, they may read more fluently and for a longer period of time. Reading with a volunteer facilitator offers the opportunity for subtle remediation and practice in both fluency and comprehension skills. All these factors together can contribute to increasing reading confidence and fostering a life-long love of reading.

Diane Mills with Harley	Marion Staples with Max	Mary Brown with Emma