Read to a dog with the R.E.A.D program
Have a beginning reader? Help them improve their reading skills through reading aloud to a therapy dog!
Many of the libraries in the corridor participate in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, and the dogs also visit area schools. The idea is that a child who may be hesitant to read aloud to peers, parents or teachers is typically less stressed when reading to a dog. The dog is trained to be a good listener and does not judge the child's reading ability.
R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team. The R.E.A.D program has been around for over 10 years and similar programs are in use around the world.
Upcoming opportunities for children to read aloud to trained therapy dogs include:
Children's R.E.A.D. Times: with Therapy Dogs of Johnson County - Iowa City Public Library - Sunday, May 6th - 2-4pm
Read to Therapy Dogs - Cedar Rapids Public Library - Sunday, May 13th - 2-4pm
Let's READ: with the Iowa City R.E.A.D. Dogs - Coralville Public Library - Sunday, May 20th - 1-3pm
Note - Some libraries require pre-registration.
