The mission of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program, is to improve the literacy skills of children in a unique approach employing a classic concept: reading to a dog.

R.E.A.D. teams offer children an irresistible opportunity to improve their reading in a setting which has proven not only effective but fun. And fun is a powerful, motivating force for learning that we grown-ups often overlook.

These are the benefits for children in the R.E.A.D. program.

• Children improve their reading skills in a unique and fun environment
• The program is extremely flexible and can be implemented in many settings
• The program promotes another way that animals can make a positive difference in children’s lives
• The program effortlessly crosses all the socioeconomic and cultural lines, since the animals are without bias and judgment
• The program addresses the "whole person" of the child, thus the benefits overflow into other areas of the child’s life beyond reading and intellectual skills

James L Lynch has conducted research for the past 35 years which provides credibility for the benefits of the human-animal bond and animal assisted therapy. He along with Aaron Katcher were the first to document how dramatically the presence of animals can lower blood pressure, and to suggest that reading to dogs might be an excellent idea to support children learning to read.

• Children with low reading abilities and self-esteem issues about reading are more willing to interact with an animal than another person.
• When an animal is present the child will have improved focus and attention span.
• Reading to an animal transforms reading which was a dreaded task to a special, less intimidating experience.
• The R.E.A.D. program provides a positive, non-judgmental environment in which learning is facilitated.