WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
To read is human; to listen without judgment is divine—or, in this case, canine.
Every Thursday, students at Anna Maria Elementary School gather in the media center for a much-loved program: Reading with the Dogs. One class at a time sits and reads to therapy-trained and socialized dogs and their volunteer handlers for a time of tale-sharing, tail-thumping fun. What better way to gain confidence in reading when your listener doesn’t correct or interrupt—only stares at you with wide, adoring puppy eyes?
“We’ll say, ‘talk louder so Velvet can hear you,'” says Dr. Sharon Otis, a family therapist and one of the volunteer handlers. “It really encourages reading. The kids love this program, and they’ve come to love the library more because of it, too.”
With a specialty in working with children, Dr. Otis originally trained dogs for her private practice. She and her husband, Dennis, spent years fostering rescue dogs before deciding to volunteer with Dogs Inc. Velvet, a retired breeder and now a certified therapy dog, had 22 puppies over the years and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement in the Otis family, including snuggling up with students in the media center every Thursday.
The Reading with the Dogs program has been a staple at the school for nearly 20 years. Former teacher and media specialist Lynne McDonough originally set it up to help reluctant readers, but it grew so popular that now all students get a chance to practice reading to a furry audience. And Lynn herself couldn’t stay away. She now volunteers with the program and brings her Goldendoodle, Lilly, to interact with the kids each week.
During the program, students rotate around the library, spending time with each dog and handler. A room full of kids and dogs might sound like a recipe for chaos, but Media Specialist Becky Demo keeps things running smoothly.
“I’m not sure who enjoys this hour more—the students, the teachers, the dogs, or the owners,” she says. “It creates this warm, welcoming space where kids can relax and enjoy reading.”
Even the earliest readers get something out of the experience. They might not be reading fluently yet, but they still get time to sit with a book, flip through the pages, and take in the words. Volunteers ask questions, talk about the pictures, and help the kids build warm, positive connections with reading. This setup works for various temperaments, too. For kids who crave adult attention—they have it! And those who are a little more introverted can simply enjoy the calm company of a gentle friend.
Speaking of these gentle friends, Velvet and Lilly aren’t the only lucky pups snuggled up to students. The day NEXTGEN visited, we also met Stella, a golden retriever so fluffy you could nap on her (and she probably wouldn’t mind); Zinnia, a Brittany Spaniel who happily sprawled on the carpet, basking in belly rubs like it was her full-time job; a pint-sized Biewer Terrier also named Lily sporting a tiny bow and exuding queenly charm; and Azzie, a Dogs Inc puppy-in-training who wowed everyone with her calm focus and good manners—especially impressive for a pup still learning the ropes.
With an adorable lineup like that, it’s no surprise the program has become a schoolwide favorite.
“Thursday at Anna Maria Elementary is more than just another school day,” says Principal Dr. Katie Fradley. “It’s the day our love for reading meets the joy of our four-legged friends. This program helps students gain confidence by reading in a relaxed, judgment-free environment, while the therapy dogs, their owners, and the children all share in the warmth of learning together. It’s such a special experience which nurtures literacy, builds self-esteem, and fills our school with wagging tails and happy hearts.”
Dr. Fradley is right. While the dogs are very busy stealing those hearts, they’re part of a program that is quietly doing something remarkable.
Why Read to Dogs?
Some say dogs make everything better, and when it comes to encouraging literacy, that’s certainly true. Here’s how children benefit from reading aloud to a furry friend:
Confidence grows. With no corrections or criticism, kids feel free to read aloud without fear. That soft gaze and thumping tail is all the encouragement they need.
Fluency improves. With more time spent reading to their quiet audience, kids start reading more smoothly and with better expression.
Comprehension deepens. Slowing down to read to a calm, attentive dog helps kids focus on the story and truly understand it.
Reading becomes fun. With cozy pups and zero pressure, reading turns into something kids look forward to, not something they avoid.
Anxiety lessens. The soothing presence of a dog can ease nervousness, especially for kids who feel self-conscious reading in front of others.
Empathy takes root. Caring for and connecting with animals helps children build emotional awareness, patience, and compassion.
The library feels like home. When books are paired with unconditional love and a sweet dog, it creates a safe, joyful space where learning happens naturally.
Having spent 15 years with the program, volunteer Susan Mitchell has seen many students come through the library. “My favorite part of this whole thing is seeing the kids’ reading skills develop over the years,” she said.
Another volunteer, Lauren Stanell, echoed Susan’s sentiments about literacy improvement and then added, “The program is good for the kids, good for the dogs, and good for us.”
“It’s so helpful to read with an audience,” said kindergarten teacher Maggie Van Wormer. “Because of doing this at school, the kids go home and read to pets or stuffed animals. It also encourages them to choose a ‘just-right’ book instead of one above their reading level, because they want to be able to read it to the dogs.”
Ms. Van Wormer has noticed the program helping students in other ways, too. “One of my students was having a hard day, but there, look, she’s all smiles right now. This experience has turned her whole day around. Of all the activities we offer, this is the one my students look forward to the most.”
At the end of each session, the volunteers hand out little cards with the dogs’ pictures, which the kids love to collect. Lilly the Goldendoodle’s card even has her favorite hobby (chasing tennis balls) and her favorite books (one of which is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein). Forget Pokemon cards—these cute keepsakes speak of time well spent, reminders of memories made, and literacy skills gained.
With the Reading with the Dogs program, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. And when kids read without pressure and feel supported, they’re much more likely to keep turning the page. That’s the kind of magic happening at Anna Maria Elementary every Thursday, and it’s the kind of encouragement that sticks with students long after they’ve closed the book.
Maybe that’s all that’s needed to transform a budding reader into a lifelong one.
