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Dogs Help Children Become Better Readers
Read the story. Then choose the best option for each item below and put it on the answer sheet.
Dogs are a very popular pet in the Unites States. Most dogs just live with their families, but some dogs
have very special jobs to do. Some dogs help police find criminals. Other dogs are trained to sniff out drugs
or explosives. Some dogs assist people who are blind, deaf, or have trouble getting around. Amazingly,
some dogs can tell when their owner is about to have a seizure. They signal their owner to lie down and be
calm. Dogs that help their owners are called "Assistance Dogs."
A very special group of dogs are known as “Therapy Dogs.” These dogs are family pets with special
training. The training allows them to go into public buildings and comfort people in need. The dogs are
trained to be calm and quiet. Loud noises and unfamiliar places don’t frighten them. They enjoy spending
time with people.
Some therapy dogs go into places such as hospitals and nursing homes. When the patients visit with the
dogs, the patients are cheered up. They enjoy petting the dogs, and look forward to their visits. The dogs
help to brighten their day. Therapy dogs can improve people’s health, as well. Studies show that when
people pet animals, their blood pressure and heart rates go down. They are calmer, and their mood
improves.
Other therapy dogs work in schools and libraries. The serve as warm and caring friends to children, but
they also do more. In one town in California, therapy dogs have become children’s reading buddies.
The dogs belong to a therapy dog group called PAWS for Healing. Eight of these special dogs have been
trained to be listening companions for young readers.
The local library is trying to encourage kids to enjoy reading more. The children are invited to meet at the
library. They are paired up with a PAWS therapy dog and can read to the dog.
The dogs make a great audience. They don’t judge a child who cannot read well, they just listen calmly.
The children can read at their own pace. The kids find it less intimidating than reading in front of their
class. Sometimes, reading in front of their peers makes kids nervous. The dogs are quiet and attentive.
They listen very well.
These therapy dogs are making a difference in the life of the children they visit. The children look forward
to reading to the dogs, and the dogs love the attention. The library and the teachers are very happy with
the program.
1. Studies show that when people pet 6. In one town, dogs have become _____ buddies
animals,_____. for kids.
the earn more money hospital
a. their blood pressure and heart rate go a. fishing
down b. special
b. they become frustrated c. reading
c. they don't have seizures 7. Some dogs can tell when their owner is about to
2. Therapy dogs enjoy _____. have a _____.
spending time with people birthday
a. herding sheep a. cold
b. assisting the blind. b. seizure
c. catching criminals c. headache
3. The children participate in the PAWS program 8. _____ are trained to be calm and gentle in public
at the _____. buildings.
hospital Public librarians
a. school a. Circus dogs
b. library b. Reading students
c. nursing home c. Therapy dogs
4. When therapy dogs visit hospitals, patients 9. Special _____ are being used for therapy work.
are _____. libraries
cheered up a. teachers
a. sent home b. dogs
b. frightened of them c. children
c. moved to a new room. [Link] dogs are good listeners for the children
5. Dogs who help their owners are called _____ because _____.
dogs. they don't judge the kids' reading abilities
therapy
a. special a. they make sure the kids read slowly
b. helpful b. they do special tricks for the children
c. assistance c. they always fall asleep