All across the country, libraries and schools have been implementing a new type of literacy programming for young readers. These programs have been very successful in aiding struggling children with their reading and communications skills. Teaching professionals and librarians are delighted with the results they have seen in the participating groups. The secret to this new success: Dog-assisted reading time!  

    Dogs have now filled the role of reading buddy for young children who are learning to read. It has long been a teaching standard for children to practice reading aloud to a reading partner, commonly these partners were volunteers at the school, often senior citizens or students from higher grade levels.  But this new approach of using dogs as reading buddies has led to improvements that greatly exceed the results than when using traditional human reading partners.   Struggling readers are seen to have a new boost in confidence about their reading skills as well as a rise in their self-esteem. This in turn leads to higher reading skills and an enthusiasm to read on their own.
 
    Literacy specialists have long acknowledged that children who are below their peers in reading skills are often intimidated by reading aloud in a group. Those children with reading difficulties often have lower self-esteem, and come to view reading as a chore.

    Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.), a program that began in Utah and has been the catalyst for other dog/literacy programs, has helped children by allowing them to read aloud to a non-threatening partner. The young readers can use the experience to boost their confidence without the scrutiny of an authority figure such as a teacher or parent. Also there  isn’t the fear that their dog reading buddy might laugh at them or make fun of them if they mispronounce a word, like classmates are apt to do. Another beneficial effect of having a dog reading buddy is that children don't feel the pressure to impress an adult or classmate by picking thick chapter books and are more likely to choose books that are written for their reading level.

    But, best of all, the students regard reading with their canine companion as fun. With the help of their dog reading buddies children have found a nonjudgmental, friendly and supportive cheerleader for their reading time. The fear, embarrassment and boredom connected to reading disappear.

    The aim of dog-assisted reading programs isn’t always to making sure that a child reads a book perfectly. Instead the focus is on making reading fun!