Dogs Educating & Assisting Readers aka Program improves reading skills by encouraging children to read one-on-one with a Fidos Therapy Dog and Trained Volunteer.

There are physiological benefits to interacting with dogs that encourage a more relaxed learning environment, including increased relaxation and lower blood pressure. Children find that reading to a dog is less intimidating. Participation in the Fidos Program is a special time for children that is helpful, fun and transforms the formerly dreaded reading experience into a positive environment in which learning is facilitated. Children find that reading to a dog less intimidating.

Children tend to focus better on an activity or discussion when a dog is present. An additional advantage is that the child is very inclined to forget his/her reading limitations while working with the dog. Reading to the dog is far less intimidating than standing up and reading to their classmates and teachers. Children are often more willing to interact with an animal than another person.