READ TO THE DOGS
Helping Readers Grow One Dog at a Time
The Read to the Dogs (RTTD) program is a confidence-building reading program where kids read aloud to friendly, judgment-free Assistance Dogs. Whether your child is shy, working through reading challenges, or just discovering the joy of storytelling, our dogs provide a calm and supportive audience—always ready to listen with a wag and a smile.
In addition to boosting reading fluency and communication skills, children also learn about:
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Disability awareness and the important role of Service Dogs
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Respectful, safe interaction with animals
How It Works
Read To The Dogs events are offered in person at schools, community spaces, and local businesses. Each session is supervised by trained handlers and volunteers and features our temperament-tested Assistance Dogs, specially selected for their calm and friendly nature.
We also offer fun take-home activities, educational materials, and reading challenges to keep kids engaged, learning, and growing long after each session ends.
sponsored in part by
Everyone Benefits
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Children grow more confident, joyful, and expressive in their reading
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Dogs enjoy calm socialization and positive interactions in community settings
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Volunteers gain meaningful experiences supporting both youth and Assistance Dogs
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Sponsors directly impact literacy, inclusion, and animal welfare in their community
This program brings hearts together—one book, one child, and one happy dog at a time.
For Families
Looking for a unique way to encourage your child’s reading journey? Our dogs are here to help! This program is especially beneficial for children who are:
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Developing early literacy skills
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Experiencing anxiety or shyness about reading aloud
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In need of a fun, confidence-building experience
For Sponsors
As a Read to the Dogs sponsor, your business becomes part of something truly meaningful—helping children grow in confidence while supporting the life-changing work of Assistance Dogs.
Sponsors receive recognition at events, in program materials, and on social media, along with the joy of knowing you’re making a lasting difference for both kids and dogs in your community.
Your support helps us bring more smiles, stories, and wagging tails to families across Central Florida.
Interested in participating or sponsoring?
Click the button below to contact our Volunteer & Event Coordinator —we’d love to connect with you!
JR TRAINER KIDS CLUB
ASA offers the opportunity for kids to participate in this hands-on training experience with our temperament tested Assistance Dogs!
We discuss: individuals with disabilities and how we can help, working dogs, safety, the importance of exercise, communication skills, grooming, vet care, acting appropriately around dogs, and last but not least; the pawesome world of DOG TRAINING!
Jr. Trainers participate by helping us train our Program Assistance Dogs! They might desensitize our younger puppies, distract the older pups, or even have the chance for a hands-on training experience with our advanced dogs!!
Sometimes we have Assistance Dog Teams come back for follow-ups; Jr. Trainers might get to meet Maggie the Wheelchair SD Team, Atlas the Mobility Support SD Team, and/or Aspen the Autism SD and his family back for refresher training.
Education is the primary goal of the ASA organization! We train dogs, handlers, recipients, family members, healthcare professionals, other trainers, and the general public; now we're educating our future generations - the KIDS!
Our teaching methods emphasize balance, structure, fairness, focus, compassion, attention to detail, planning, empathy, routine, responsibility, and finding enjoyment in “work”!
The Jr. Trainer Program is offered at no charge! Donations are always appreciated so our nonprofit organization can continue offering FREE educational programs and events.
