The mission of the R.E.A.D.® program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.
The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.
Today, hundreds of registered R.E.A.D. teams work throughout the United States and Canada. R.E.A.D. is one of those ideas that, in the words of Bill Moyers, “pierces the mundane to arrive at the marvelous.”
Intermountain Therapy Animals, a nonprofit organization, launched R.E.A.D. in 1999 as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing idea of reading to dogs, and the program has been spreading rapidly and happily ever since!
Other R.E.A.D.® News and Information
The R.E.A.D. Brochure
Download the R.E.A.D. brochure here (Adobe Acrobat, 117 KB)
READING IS FUN-DOG-MENTAL
[Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Sporting Dogs, the premier issue, Fall 2003]By Nikki Moustaki
The R.E.A.D.® Program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), designed by Intermountain Therapy Animals in Salt Lake City, Utah, helps improve the literacy skills of children, especially those with self-esteem issues or learning challenges. There's far less pressure in reading to a dog than there is reading in front of people.
Carron Gordon of Midvale, Utah, along with her English Springer Spaniel, Meg, visits the Boys and Girls Club in their area and has seen remarkable results in the children meg helps. Children who were formerly reluctant to read are seen reading entire books to Meg - and shocked that they are accomplishing it. "Meg is really in tune with human beings. She knows exactly how to approach each child. I've never found her to have an inappropriate greeting."
Lyn Rosengreen of Bountiful, Utah, takes Holly, her buff-colored American Cocker Spaniel, to visit with juvenile boys in a locked-down situation. "Because they've been in trouble in their lives, these boys don't read very well," says Rosengreen. "They're embarrassed about their reading skills and it's easier for them to read out loud to Holly. She snuggles up to them - she's a dog that likes to sit on you. It gives them some self-esteem. When we first start with them they talk quietly and don't make eye contact. After reading with holly for a while, they pick up their heads and raise their voices, and they work harder in their classes because they want to continue the privilege of working with Holly."
Created: December 3, 2003 by Intermountain Therapy Animals
Other R.E.A.D.® press and articles
- Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D. ) Frequently Asked Questions
- Libraries and Schools that ITA R.E.A.D. Teams Visit
- "Tails for Tea"
- R.E.A.D. Training Package a Success!
- R.E.A.D. Program - 'Tails From The Field'
- R.E.A.D. Presentations
- R.E.A.D. Featured on Westminster Dog Show Broadcast
- R.E.A.D. Associate Programs and Regional Workshops
- ITA Wins Major Award
- Purchase a Lucinda pin and support the R.E.A.D. program!
Press and Articles
A page of references to recent press and articles about Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
Links
Links to other Reading Education Assistance Dogs and literacy resources on the Internet.
R.E.A.D. Photos
Photos of Reading Education Assistance Dogs at work.
R.E.A.D.® Program Contacts:
For more information about R.E.A.D., please contact Intermountain Therapy Animals at 801-272-3439.