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 1 Dogs Help Children Become Better Readers — Basic Story

Dogs are a very popular pet in the United States. Most dogs just live with their families, but some dogs have
very special jobs to do. Some dogs help police find criminals. Other dogs are trained to sniff out drugs or
explosives. Some dogs assist people who are blind, deaf, or have trouble getting around. Amazingly, some dogs
can tell when their owner is about to have a seizure. They signal their owner to lie down and be calm. Dogs that
help their owners are called "Assistance Dogs."
A very special group of dogs are known as "Therapy Dogs." These dogs are family pets with special training.
The training allows them to go into public buildings and comfort people in need. The dogs are trained to be
calm and quiet. Loud noises and unfamiliar places don't frighten them. They enjoy spending time with people.
Some therapy dogs go into places such as hospitals and nursing homes. When the patients visit with the dogs,
the patients are cheered up. They enjoy petting the dogs, and look forward to their visits. The dogs help to
brighten their day. Therapy dogs can improve people's health, as well. Studies show that when people pet
animals, their blood pressure and heart rates go down. They are calmer, and their mood improves.
Other therapy dogs work in schools and libraries. They serve as warm and caring friends to children, but they
also do more. In one town in California, therapy dogs have become children's reading buddies.
The dogs belong to a therapy dog group called PAWS for Healing. Eight of these special dogs have been
trained to be listening companions for young readers.
The local library is trying to encourage kids to enjoy reading more. The children are invited to meet at the
library. They are paired up with a PAWS therapy dog and can read to the dog.
The dogs make a great audience. They don't judge a child who cannot read well, they just listen calmly. The
children can read at their own pace. The kids find it less intimidating than reading in front of their class.
Sometimes, reading in front of their peers makes kids nervous. The dogs are quiet and attentive. They listen
very well.
These therapy dogs are making a difference in the lives of the children they visit. The children look forward to
reading to the dogs, and the dogs love the attention. The library and the teachers are very happy with the
program.

 2 Dogs Help Children Become Better Readers — Full Story

Therapy dogs, who usually serve as warm and caring friends to patients, have taken on an additional role in
Vacaville. They're becoming some children's best new reading buddies.
Eight PAWS for Healing volunteer canines have been trained to be listening companions for young readers.
The Vacaville Public Library is trying out the pilot program to encourage elementary-age children to become
enthusiastic about reading. Children are invited to come to the library to meet and read to an especially
appreciative dog audience.
The dog listeners have received special training to become Reading Education Assistance Dogs in the PAWS
program. They are dogs who have demonstrated they can listen attentively and remain calm. Children find them
less intimidating than peers in a classroom setting. Children can read at their own pace without being judged.

 3 assist

to help or make things easier for someone

 4 attentive

to pay attention; listen

 5 audience

someone who watches or hears a performance

 6 comfort

to give relief; soothe

 7 companion

someone who spends time with others; friend

 8 encourage

to give hope or praise to someone

 9 explosive

substances that will blow up, such as dynamite

 10 intimidating

something that causes someone to be afraid or shy

 11 peers

a classmate or person of the same age

 12 therapy

treatment to make someone feel better

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