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Emory with Bryant Elementary student

BARK is a volunteer program that encourages children  to increase their reading skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs.  Students find it intimidating to read in front of classmates, but love to read to the non-judgmental, calming dogs.  Teachers and principals find children in reading dog programs have greater self-esteem, better reading skills, and higher test scores.

Stephanie and Amiko

 If you have a well-behaved dog and one hour per week, come join us!

Eric and Groucho

Students read to dogs 15-20 minutes once per week for eight weeks.  They are given a bookmark with photos and information about the dog they are reading with.  Pictures are taken and given to the child on a subsequent visit. 

At the end of the eight weeks, the student is given a brand new book (donated by Book Buddies) to take home and the dog paw stamps and signs the book.   They are also given a small stuffed dog and their bookmark.

  All BARK dogs are evaluated, certified, and insured.

BARK is a volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization.