






| Therapy Dogs in our Community |

| R.E.A.D ( Reading Education Assistance Dog) |
| 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. But Why dogs? Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitations than about overcoming fears. Animals are ideal reading companions because they: . Helps increase relaxation and lower blood pressure . The animals listen attentively Animals do not judge, laugh or criticize Animals allow children to proceed at their own pace Animals are less intimidating than peers When a R.E.A.D dog is listening, the environment is transformed, a child’s dread is replaced by egger anticipation, and learning occurs |

| Dog Safety Program |

| Click here to see Noah the Therapy Horse |