Lakhasly

Reading Buddies

SCITES

school library across town, a third-grade boy is reading his favorite book to a dog named Theo.He is part of a program that began in Utah in 1999, Through this program, teams of dogs and their handlers were trout to schools and libraries to serve as reading companions for kids who were having trouble reading.The boy is petting the dog as he reads, and the dog has its paw on the boy's foot Both seem relaxed and happy, but what is a dog doing in a school library?Since then, similar neading programs have popped up in every region of the United States.

Reading Buddies

SCITES

school library across town, a third-grade boy is reading his favorite book to a dog named Theo. The boy is petting the dog as he reads, and the dog has its paw on the boy's foot Both seem relaxed and happy, but what is a dog doing in a school library?

dogs around the country that have been trained to listen to people dogaloud. He is part of a program that began in Utah in 1999, Through this program, teams of dogs and their handlers were trout to schools and libraries to serve as reading companions for kids who were having trouble reading. Since then, similar neading programs have popped up in every region of the United States. They have helped thousands of kids improve not only their reading skills but also their attitudes about reading.

There are many reasons kids can have trouble reading. Some harve learning disabilities Some think it's boring. Some are new to English. Others just haven't found a book they like.

Whatever the cause, struggling readers have one thing in common. They lack confidence. Learning to read is often less about reading skills than it is about confidence. To a struggling reader, an animal listener can produce less anxiety than a human listener.

94 UNIT 2 ANIMAL ALLIES