Dog Days Afternoons

Saturday afternoons at the Salt Lake City Main library are Dog Day afternoons. There is an air of excitement in the children's section of the library. Rather than having stories read to them by adults, preschoolers have the opportunity to read stories to therapy dogs. Julia Corbett, a volunteer for Intermountain Therapy Animals, works with Toby to encourage preschoolers to practice their story telling skills and increase their confidence levels.

The R.E.A.D. Program

The R.E.A.D. program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) first launched in 1999, and has since received nationwide media attention and had wonderful success making literacy fun for children. Intermountain Therapy Animals sponsors the R.E.A.D. program. Registered Pet Partner therapy teams serve as literacy mentors in a non-threatening and low pressure environment. Preschoolers can read a book to the therapy dog or sit with the dog as a story is read to them. There are currently hundreds of R.E.A.D. teams working throughout the United States and Canada.

Benefits to Preschoolers

Preschoolers love dogs. Reading to a therapy dog can help them to become excited about reading. Reading to a dog is very low pressure. Preschoolers can feel free to make mistakes and tell the story the way that they want to. The atmosphere is relaxed and comforting to preschoolers and encourages them to forget their limitations. Spending time with an animal can relax and calm active preschoolers. Studies have shown that animals can help to lower blood pressure and relieve stress.

Therapy Dogs add an exciting element to a Saturday afternoon visit to the library. Your preschooler will create wonderful memories associated with reading and look forward to positive literacy experiences in their future. The therapy dogs are very mild mannered and comforting to preschoolers. Therapy dogs have been tested for temperament, health ,cleanliness, attitude, and good manners. They are obedient dogs and very reliable with children. Preschoolers will enjoy the calming presence of the therapy dog and the confidence that they will feel as they learn to trust their own reading abilities.

Dog Day Afternoon Details

Dog Day Afternoons are free and no registration is required. Therapy animals will be at the Salt Lake City Main Library on Saturday afternoons from 1:00-3:00. Additional locations are offered on a rotating basis and can be found on the Salt Lake City Public Library website.

The event will be held in the children's section of the library. In the Main Library this is located downstairs. The Pet Partner therapy team will be located in the room to the right hand side as you enter the children's section of the library.