Some lucky Santa Clarita children visiting the library Thursday got to practice their reading skills with therapy dogs at the Canyon County Library.

All three libraries in the Santa Clarita Valley offer the program, some bi-weekly, others monthly.

The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to an animal, according to the national organization.

“But not just any animal,” writes the company, “READ companions are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.”

The mission of the READ program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.

“Our read to dogs program is a great way for children to gain confidence while reading,” said Shannon Lane, a children’s librarian at the Canyon Country Library. “Dogs don’t judge, dogs don’t know if you stumble over words. It’s a great way to practice reading without feeling self–conscious or worrying about making mistakes.”

To find out how to have your dog certified as a therapy dog in order to participate in the program, visit here.

To find out more about Santa Clarita’s three libraries and the Read To Dogs program, click here.