In libraries and schools across North America, a steadfastly loyal and tireless group of literacy volunteers are teaching kids to read. They don’t demand salary. They never complain or show signs of boredom. They receive nothing more than a cookie and a head scratch for their efforts.

They are listening dogs, and they work miracles for children’s literacy. Even kids who know how to read flock to these dogs just for fun, growing their vocabulary and public speaking skills in the process. But the greatest beneficiaries by far are those who have obstacles to reading and speaking.

Golf great Tiger Woods is one famous example. Tiger used to stutter. Before facing a human audience, he would practice speeches and presentations for his dog, Boom. He was building confidence with the help of his dog. Eventually he realized that if he could do it for Boom, he could also win the people over.

Dogs provide an attentive, non-judgmental audience for young readers. They don’t criticize or laugh. They don’t act bored, hurried and impatient. They are there just to listen. 

Kids develop a love of reading while bonding with their listening dog.

Last week, I visited the Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) program, which travels to libraries around the region for one-month stints every fall and spring. During the afterschool hours of 4 to 6 p.m., kids start cycling in for 30-minute sessions with the dogs and their guardians/handlers. Many kids had siblings in tow.

“I like reading to dogs because I like animals. I really like reading and I really like dogs,” says Fern Beach, 8.

On this night, the listeners at the Fairhaven library were all rescue dogs. The program has an unexpected spin-off effect for the shelter – it piques a kid’s interest in animals, particularly rescued animals. Many of the participants have come to the WHS shelter with their parents to adopt cats and dogs, Clark says. Kids also shed their fear of dogs.

“These dogs are kid tested and approved,” says WHS outreach director Laura Clark. “This gives the child a chance to learn about dogs with friendly animals.”

The librarian watching the sessions was beaming as children enthusiastically read to their dogs.  

“It’s related to our goals and our mission,” says Donna Grasdock, Fairhaven library specialist for the Bellingham Public Library. “It fulfills librarians’ dreams to see kids reading. There is proof that this program causes dramatic improvement in a child’s reading. Kids are excited about reading! It almost makes me cry.”