SHARE A Book Program

Listen to SHARE Program Coordinator Darlene Blackman on the Good Dog Podcast (5/13/08)

Dog Day Afternoons Help Students Improve Reading Skills

by Carrie Harrington


Dogs are not only human’s best friend … they’re also great tutors. That’s the theory behind the Marin Humane Society’s “SHARE A Book” program…

Just about everyone recalls feelings of dread as a child when they were chosen to read aloud in class. But for some students, these moments of dread can develop into a serious and growing problem known as aliteracy: acquiring basic reading skills, but disliking, or even refusing, to read. Because aliteracy usually can be traced to feelings of fear, shyness and embarrassment, the best way to combat the problem is to find a way for children to read in a fun and empowering environment. Throughout Marin County schools and libraries, furry, wet-nosed tutors with tails are doing just that.

It’s all part of the Marin Humane Society’s SHARE A Book program, coordinated by the Society’s SHARE (Special Human-Animal Relationships) department, which works closely with local teachers, reading specialists and librarians. The program is designed to help children improve literacy skills while offering them an opportunity to have fun reading — to dogs!

It’s not just entertainment — canine companions really can help struggling children improve reading skills. But why does it work?

SHARE A Book program coordinator Darlene Blackman emphasizes the comfort level children feel with dogs. “Dogs are ideal reading companions because they offer unconditional love and acceptance. As opposed to an audience of their peers, children feel comfortable reading to dogs because their fears and limitations dissolve in the process.”

There’s also the potential for role changes. A child who previously lacked self-esteem as a remedial reader is presented with an opportunity to become a “teacher” by explaining what they are reading to their canine partner.

Darlene also points to the physiological benefits of being with dogs, including lower blood pressure and increased relaxation. “In this calm environment, children tend to forget about limitations. It doesn’t take long before we see marked improvements in reading.”

Before participating in the program, dogs and their humans complete a four-week training class led by a certified instructor from the Marin Humane Society. Here, handlers learn how to use their dogs as literacy mentors. SHARE A Book dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from Trevor the King Charles Spaniel to Gretl the Bernese Mountain Dog. What’s important is that all dogs are kid- and dog-friendly, excel in basic obedience and have passed a vet health check. For those who may be interested in having their canine companion participate in SHARE A Book, training for new volunteers will begin in September.

SHARE A Book was launched as a pilot program in 2005 at the Mary Silveira School in San Rafael. Teachers at the school were thrilled when students who had been reluctant readers started showing interest in the program. Reading specialist Gael Ayala reported a significant increase in the number of books read by participating students and called the SHARE A Book program “even more wonderful than we expected.”

To date, more than 100 students have participated in the program at both the Mary Silveira School and the Corte Madera Public Library. SHARE A Book has been so successful that the program will expand into more classrooms and Marin County libraries during the 2006–07 school year. This summer, children are invited to participate in free SHARE A Book reading sessions on Thursday afternoons from August 3–24 at the Corte Madera Library.

For more information on bringing the SHARE A Book program to your school or library, to have your child participate in a reading session, or to become a volunteer team with your dog, please contact Darlene Blackman, SHARE program coordinator, at (415) 506-6264.


Carrie Harrington is the MHS Communications Manager.