Finding joy in books can feel like an uphill battle for children who struggle with reading. They may feel anxious about mispronouncing words or embarrassed about reading aloud in front of others.  But what if their audience wasn’t a teacher or a peer, but a furry friend offering unconditional support?

Studies from UC Davis and Tufts University show that children reading to dogs increase reading comprehension and their words per minute over children reading to adults. Plus, they enjoy it more. Because of this, many libraries and schools have implemented Read-To-A-Dog programs where children are given the opportunity to read aloud to certified reading therapy dogs. So how does reading to a dog help children with their reading skills? 

1. Emotional Support and Calming Presence: Dogs offer a calming effect, naturally reducing stress and anxiety in children. For a struggling reader, the presence of a friendly, non-judgmental dog helps to create a relaxed atmosphere where they feel safe and supported.
   
2. Increased Motivation and Enjoyment: Many children are more excited to read when they know they’ll have a dog as an audience. This added motivation makes reading feel less like a chore and more like a fun, shared activity, which increases their willingness to practice.
   
3. Improved Patience and Focus: Dogs are naturally patient listeners, and their quiet presence helps children maintain focus. The absence of interruptions or corrections means kids can read at their own pace, which is especially helpful for those who may need more time to sound out words or practice fluency.
   
4. Development of Empathy and Connection: Reading to a dog allows children to form a connection and feel empathy as they engage with their furry listener. This connection fosters a sense of responsibility to share the story well, helping them practice expressive reading and feel more engaged with the text.
5. Building Confidence through Acceptance: Over time, all these factors – a relaxed space, non-judgmental listening, connection, fun and focus, help children feel accepted in their reading efforts. This acceptance builds self-esteem, allowing struggling readers to develop the confidence they need to read out loud.
   

It’s no surprise that the experience is reciprocal as well. When dogs are being read to, the dog-to-human bond is strengthened and they learn to relax, making them better therapy dogs in the long run.  The dogs gain important social skills like how to stay still and attentive or be patient with people. For some dogs, the sessions can create a sense of purpose and provide mental stimulation.  

Encouraging children to read to a dog can be a powerful way for parents, educators and librarians alike to help struggling readers associate books with positive emotions. These moments of connection can make a huge difference in a child’s literacy journey with results leading to more independent reading and confidence that can spill into their schoolwork and beyond. 

Alli Straus is a social media content creator and picture book author with her debut STEM picture book, In the Moonlight Theater, coming Spring 2025. Alli and her 5 year old pug, Oski, volunteer at local libraries in southern California to help children improve their reading skills as a BARK-certified literacy therapy dog team