Growing Confident Readers at Sunrise Drive: Read to a Dog Day

On November 5, our students had a very special reading event—Read to a Dog Day! Organized by our dedicated teacher, Rebecca Moore, this experience invited primary-aged students to read aloud to certified therapy dogs in a calm, friendly, and encouraging environment.

 A Read to a Dog program allows children to practice reading with a non-judgmental listener. Dogs don’t correct or interrupt; they listen. This makes reading feel safer, more relaxed, and even fun, especially for students who may feel shy or uncertain about reading aloud.
To prepare, students spent time practicing with classroom stuffed animals and learning how to interact respectfully and gently with real therapy dogs. The students talked about body language, quiet voices, and how to help both themselves and the dogs feel comfortable during story time. One of the stars of the day was Merlin, a chocolate Lab who arrived with his favorite stuffed toy in tow. Students took turns reading with Merlin, while others helped groom him gently and calmly, making him feel right at home. Merlin listened closely as students read stories—sometimes with excitement, sometimes with quiet focus—and was a patient and steady companion throughout.
How It Works:

• Choose a book: Students pick a story they are interested in (many picked stories about dogs or superheroes)
• Sit with the dog and handler: The therapy dog provides a calm presence, while the handler supports the interaction.
• Read aloud: The student reads at their own pace—no pressure, no corrections, just gentle encouragement.
• Grow confidence: Small successes are celebrated to build joy and pride in reading.

Mrs. Moore cheered on each breakthrough, noticing every effort and moment of bravery. When one student proudly read the word aloha aloud, she exclaimed with a smile,
“You read aloha! That’s great! Extra bonus points for you!”
These small wins matter. They build confidence. They show students they can do this.
They help children discover that reading can unlock new learning opportunities.
We are so grateful to the therapy dog teams who visited and for the special dog bookmarks. Kudos to Mrs. Moore for planning such a thoughtful and heart-centered experience, and to our students for taking brave steps forward as readers. At Sunrise Drive, we celebrate every voice, every effort, and every story—one page at a time. 📚🐾