Our Dad Blogger Robert shares about a Fantastic Reading Program. He had the opportunity to participate with his daughter and shares all about it!

Would you like to encourage your child to read and have some fun in the process?  I would like to share with you a great FREE program that will inspire your child to improve their reading, no matter what level they are at currently.

Credit: Barkdogs.org

BARK is an all volunteer program that brings therapy dogs to local libraries to stimulate your child to read.  Some children who may be a little too shy to read in front of their classmates, are more at ease when they are reading to a dog.  If you are fortunate enough to have a child that enjoys reading already, then reading to an attentive dog will only make it more fun.

Having a dog as your child’s reading audience is really the best of both worlds, as the dogs are not judgmental to a child’s reading skills and almost all children love dogs. It is easy to love these dogs also, as they not only adorable, but are thoroughly screened to make sure that they have the right temperament to be around groups of children.  The BARK dogs have been to literally dozens of schools and libraries in southern California over the last 5 years since the program started.

The best way to have your child read to the BARK dogs is to visit your local library when the dogs are there for a visit.  At the library there is no charge to have your child read to the dogs.   Please go to their website at www.barkdogs.org to find out when they will be in your area.  The BARK dogs are also available to visit schools and hospitals for a small fee.