Paws & Pages Team

The Paws & Pages team is dedicated to building confident readers through the unconditional love of therapy dogs. Our team of educators, trainers, and volunteers share tips, stories, and resources to support literacy and the human-animal bond.

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Paws & Pages Team

The Paws & Pages team is dedicated to building confident readers through the unconditional love of therapy dogs. Our team of educators, trainers, and volunteers share tips, stories, and resources to support literacy and the human-animal bond.

Articles by Paws & Pages Team

75 articles published

A family meeting a potential therapy dog at an animal shelter

What to Consider Before Adopting a Potential Therapy Dog

Thinking about adopting with therapy work in mind? Here's what to evaluate when meeting potential canine partners.

1 min read
A parent and child approaching a friendly therapy dog in a welcoming library setting

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Reading Session with a Therapy Dog

Simple steps to help your child feel comfortable and excited about reading to a furry friend for the first time.

2 min read
Children of various ages reading to a therapy dog in a library setting

The Best Age to Start Reading Programs

Parents often ask when their child should start reading with therapy dogs. The answer reveals something important about how children learn—and why there's no such thing as 'too early' or 'too late.'

12 min read
A calm child reading contentedly next to a therapy dog, illustrating the science of relaxation

The Science Behind Why Dogs Reduce Reading Anxiety

Research shows that dogs lower cortisol and increase oxytocin. Here's what that means for young readers.

1 min read
A therapy dog visiting a school reading corner with happy students and books

Setting Up a School Reading Dog Program

From securing admin buy-in to selecting the right therapy dog teams, here's a step-by-step guide for educators who want to bring reading dogs into their schools.

9 min read
A child selecting a book while a therapy dog waits attentively

How to Choose the Right Book Level

The Goldilocks zone of reading difficulty—challenging enough to promote growth but easy enough to allow success—is crucial for therapy dog sessions. Here's how to find it.

14 min read
A therapy dog resting comfortably on a plush mat in a library reading corner

Best Mats and Blankets for Therapy Dog Reading Sessions

Comfortable, washable, and portable—we review the best options for your therapy dog's reading spot.

1 min read
An assortment of healthy dog treats arranged beside a therapy dog vest and training clicker

Treats and Rewards for Therapy Dog Training and Sessions

Which treats work best for training, and which are appropriate for facility visits? Our comprehensive guide.

1 min read
A handler tracking reading progress while a child reads to a therapy dog

Measuring Reading Progress with Dog Programs

How do you quantify the magic of a child reading to a dog? Here's our comprehensive approach to tracking meaningful progress that goes far beyond words per minute.

14 min read
Children reading to shelter dogs in a cozy library setting

Supporting Rescue Organizations Through Reading Programs

Therapy dog reading programs and animal rescues share a natural affinity. Discover how Paws & Pages partners with shelters to transform lives—both human and canine.

15 min read