R.E.A.D. Dogs Minnesota

This Lawrence University blogger summarized the benefits of R.E.A.D. and applied them to a setting involving a child with Down Syndrome.

"To sum up, past research suggests that children with Down Syndrome often experience the same challenges typically developing children face while reading aloud. The R.E.A.D. program provides a nonjudgmental audience in a trained therapy dog and an exciting incentive to practice reading. Simply petting a dog has calming effects that can reduce anxiety children may experience while reading aloud. Utilizing the R.E.A.D. program for children with Down Syndrome can potentially increase reading grade level, practice time, cognitive skills and positive emotional response to reading sessions."

Click here to read The Benefits of Reading Education Assistance Dogs for Children with Down Syndrome