Paws for Reading
Touch Therapy teams visit local schools and libraries participating in our Paws for Reading program, designed to help your people by using dogs as an incentive to read.
With a dog’s encouragement and calming presence, young readers improve their focus, word recognition, and reading comprehension without feeling anxious.
Duo trains Paws for Reading teams to work with a school teacher or librarian to enhance and support their teaching curriculum. Teams will coordinate with the teacher so they are able to work with students in a group setting or one-on-one activities. Both volunteer handler and dog can actively be incorporated into assignments such as:
- Group Reading Sessions – using the Paws for Reading team in a setting where the students all take turns reading
- One on One Setting – using the Paws for Reading team to work with an individual student in a setting away from the others
- Jump In Reading Sessions – using the Paws for Reading team to work in a group setting where students take turns reading while the others following along, and each ‘jumps in’ to read a different part
- Writing Assignments – using the Paws for Reading team as the subject of journal writing, writing assignments, skits, plays, etc.
Schools and libraries can join our incentive reading program allowing students the opportunity to earn books for their libraries.
To get involved with Touch Therapy as Paws for Reading team, please fill out the application and return it with current vaccination records.
2,500
students participate in the Paws for Reading program, on average per year
30+
schools and libraries are Paws for Reading participants
Client Testimonials
Both of my children have been touched by the Paws for Reading program. My oldest practices reading out loud at Thornhill library with Libby, then shares books with her younger sibling who is on the autism spectrum. It brought tears to my eyes when my youngest hugged Libby and listened to the stories. I've never seen my child respond to anyone or anything like the Paws for Reading dog.
Our classroom so enjoyed reading to Marley, which helped the students earn books for our library. Thank you so much for this program!
