Flip is a 4 year old Australian Shepherd with a tail  and we have been a certified team for a little over 2 years. This is his second year visiting schools. We started visiting Wilmot Library over 2 years ago.

He goes to the Salisbury school most Tuesdays through out the school year for a hour each time. And 6 children will come and read to Flip. Many times I’ll have Flip show them how he reads too… doing the action or behavior to me showing him a sign- Sit or Down or Back up or Twist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-8zFORw9WA

What is R.E.A.D.?

The Reading Education Assistance Dogs® program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog.  But not just any dog.  R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their handler as a team, going to schools, libraries, and many other settings as reading companions for children.

Intermountain Therapy Animals, launched R.E.A.D. in 1999 as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the idea of reading to dogs, and the program has been spreading rapidly ever since!

How Does It Work?

R.E.A.D. utilizes registered therapy animals who have been trained and tested for health, safety, appropriate skills, and temperament.  When these special animals come to hear children read, it’s fun!  And that makes all the difference.

For more information, please visit www.readdogsmn.org.