logo: Therapaws of Michigan: Sharing the Human-Animal Bondlogo: Therapaws of Michigan: Sharing the Human-Animal Bond
Celebrating 20 Years: 1988 - 2008

About Therapaws to R.E.A.D.


Therapaws of Michigan photo

In 2004, Therapaws partnered with R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), a program launched in 1999 by Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) in a public library in Utah.

The mission of the R.E.A.D. program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered pet therapy teams as literacy mentors.

The R.E.A.D. program improves children's reading and communication skills by making dogs available for children to read aloud to. It was found that the level of reading-aloud confidence scored high in testing individual children involved in this program.

Now, dogs are being used for boosting reading confidence in schools as well. (Learn more about ITA's R.E.A.D. program by visiting www.TherapyAnimals.org). Today, several Therapaws members also are registered as R.E.A.D. teams and visit facilities in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, and Ypsilanti.

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Request Our Therapaws to R.E.A.D. Visits


Therapaws of Michigan photo

If you believe the Therpaws to R.E.A.D. program can make a difference to your children, then Therapaws of Michigan, Inc. (Therapaws) can help you meet these needs. Currently, Therapaws is serving Ann Arbor and surrounding communities only.

  1. Please print out this form (532 KB PDF file), fill in all the information, and mail it to:
    Therapaws of Michigan, Inc.
    P.O. Box 92
    Dexter, MI 48130
  2. A Therapaws member will contact you and discuss your needs and Therapaws' procedures.

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Facilities Visited by Therapaws to R.E.A.D.


Therapaws of Michigan photo

Today, several Therapaws members also are registered as R.E.A.D. teams and visit facilities in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, and Ypsilanti. Therapaws is looking to expand the R.E.A.D. program into Ann Arbor and other communities.

Therapaws to R.E.A.D. Facilities

Ann Arbor Allen School
2560 Towner Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ann Arbor Open School
920 Miller Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Angell Elementary School
1608 S. University
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Cornerstone Elementary School
7840 Dan Hoey Road
Dexter, MI 48130
Ann Arbor Eberwhite School
800 Soule Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Chelsea District Library
500 Washington Street
Chelsea, MI 48118
Ann Arbor King School
3800 Waldenwood
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Ypsilanti District Library
5577 Whittaker Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Ann Arbor Lakewood School
344 Gralake
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Ypsilanti District Library
229 West Michigan Avenue
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

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