Abstract
Literacy is the foundation of education and supporting young children's early literacy opportunities prepares them for a variety of learning experiences, both in traditional and non-traditional settings. Reading to shelter dogs in non-traditional settings may offer a space that is judgement-free and inviting for the development of motivation and confidence. This case study examines the experiences and perceptions of those involved in a Reading with the Dogs program at an animal shelter in Southwest Florida. Multiple sources of data were collected, including video observations, field notes, and individual and focus group interviews. The direct observations occurred monthly during the Reading with the Dogs sessions and these allowed for the researchers to interact with the children and families in a more informal setting, building rapport with them. The data analysis resulted in the identification of three themes: (1) more confident, motivated readers, (2) supporting social and emotional development, and (3) removing the stigma. Overall, the themes indicated that the Reading with the Dogs program provided a variety of benefits for the children and families involved, in addition to providing benefits for the dogs and the shelter. Programs such as the one explored in this study may be expanded or replicated in other shelters or in more traditional educational settings.
