What Parents Say 

 October 17, 2010  

Austin read two books to Murphy on Saturday...and talked about it non-stop for the rest of the weekend. Murphy is a therapy dog. I've known about the benefits of therapy dogs in medical situations, but I had never heard of using therapy dogs for reading. 

I saw [the results] first hand. My son is a reluctant reader. By contrast, I am a voracious reader, and I struggle with the concept that he doesn't like to read for enjoyment. Granted, he's only 6 and still learning to read, but he sees it as a chore. However, on Saturday, he was chomping at the bit to get to the library and pick out a book to read to a dog. (Yes, he picked out the book based on what he thought a dog might like! It had puppies and kittens in it!) 

When it was our turn, my son smiled, and didn't stop smiling for the next half hour. He ended up reading two books to Murphy. The second one was hard for him. I was in the wings, cringing as he stopped to study a word, waiting for him to throw the book down and walk away. But he didn't. (A first!) Linda coached him through, and Murphy put her chin on Austin’s knee and patiently listened. After our turn was over, Austin wanted to hang out at the library and read more books. (Be still my heart!) 

The promised results are impressive and spill over into all aspects of life—less anxiety, more confidence—and the sense of accomplishment does wonders for a child's self-esteem. The proof was in the pudding for me. Austin wants to set up a reading schedule for our dog at home (a crotchety old daschund whom I doubt will be amenable to the idea). He also asked me if he could go again. 

- Macaroni Kid Carver 

 (Online Blog) 

May 21, 2010

Spending time with Kalua has helped instill a love of reading in my son, Garrett, that I hope will continue with him through life. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to the students at Grassy Lake Elementary. My son has immensely enjoyed this experience. We look forward to this program continuing at our school!

Thank you,

Wendy Rozar, Minneola, FL

January 9, 2007 

I am writing this letter to share my appreciation for the R.E.A.D. program. I think this is a program that should be offered to all schools and children who are behind in their reading skills. 

In the 2005-2006 school year, my son was diagnosed with a slight learning disability. He was very much behind in his reading. I was asked by the school if I would be interested in him joining the R.E.A.D. program. I really didn't know much about it then, but I still thought it would be a great idea and extra help for his reading. After a few sessions I learned more about the program and saw how much my son was positively reacting to his sessions. 

I personally believe that by him attending those sessions has given him more confidence as a reader, on his own, out loud or even in front of his classmates. It has made him want to buy his own books. 

I owe Chelsea and Chantal Moore my gratitude for being such a positive role in my son's reading abilities. I wish more children will benefit from the same program. 

Thank you, 

Jannet Mayville, South Hull Parent 

(Ottawa, Canada) 

2004 

"My son Eli was very reluctant to read aloud. We found a couple of easy books, and they put him with Maggie (a Pembroke Welsh Corgi). He sat and started reading, and he kept reading and reading and reading. Now Eli reads aloud all the time. He's willing to sound out the big words. It changed him." 

Barb Holton, about her 8-year-old son 

_____, Oregon 

December 6, 2004 

[My daughter is] an only child, but she loves her dolls and kitty cat. If this makes her love books more, then I can't do enough to make it happen. 

Katie Miller (mother of Molly, age 7) 

Douglas County Library, Castle Rock, CO

My own daughter has benefited from the R.E.A.D. dogs but in a different way than intended. She loves books and we go to the library every week, but it is better for her when the dogs are there. She really wants a dog but our lifestyle doesn't allow one. So each time she meets the R.E.A.D. dogs she can spend as much time as she likes with them and gets to share with them the love she would give to a pet. This helps immensely with her psychological wellbeing.

I have seen the ITA animals everywhere, and I see the joy they bring to people. I can only imagine what it is like for the hospital-bound or infirm to be visited by these loving and giving animals.

Heather Captain

When my son started reading to Buddy ... I began 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

June 3, 2003 

My son is an emerging reader and he likes dogs a lot. He has never read so well as he did during his first, 20-minute R.E.A.D. session. He was really diligent. He really applied himself to read to the dog. This is a kid who has a lot of other options. It's baseball season now. It's great that he would willingly and happily go into the library and try to read. 

Stacia Gentry, mother of Walt, age 6 

In "Dole goes to the dogs," by Linda Downing Miller 

Park Record ( Park City, UT)

November 2005 

Last year in grade 1, Jesse started out with a small word bank, and couldn't read. He was behind other students in his class. He started working with a dog named Chelsea from Ottawa Therapy Dogs. Jesse immediately formed a bond with her. He would always come home excited after reading to Chelsea. He then started showing a great interest for reading. By Christmas he was already up three reading levels, and by the end of the year he was up 10 levels. His word bank also increased dramatically. I was thrilled with the results, and so was Jesse. I would strongly recommend this type of therapy to any parent whose child needs help in reading. Jesse still talks about Chelsea to this very day. 

Amanda, Jesse's mom 

Lord Aylmer School, Gatineau, Quebec, CANADA