WFUV's Series on Alternative Treatments: Pet Therapy

Many people know pet therapy is often used to improve emotional well-being. But some may not be aware it can also help with learning. The Good Dog Foundation uses pets to teach kids how to read. 

Rachel McPherson founded the organization 15 years ago. She was inspired after seeing her sons, who both struggled with reading, greatly improve their skills when they read to the family dog at home. Soon after, she began suggesting this kind of treatment to local schools and ended up creating the Good Dog Foundation. The organization now services four states and visits public and charter schools on a weekly basis.

McPherson says children with reading and learning disabilities benefit most from the dog visits.

"A lot of times they feel insecure about these issues," McPherson said. "So what the dogs do is, they help the child become very centered and feel good about themselves. Other kids sometimes make fun of their reading levels. Now, it's really a cool thing to go read to the dogs." 

Every dog in the Foundation goes through extensive behavioral training, and is always accompanied by a volunteer companion when participating in reading sessions.  

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