There’s something powerful about watching a child read aloud to a dog.

No judgment.
No correction.
No red pen.
Just presence.

In January, Kiki & Itachi had the honor of volunteering at the South Mountain Community Library as part of their “Sit, Stay, Read” program through Phoenix Public Library. Certified therapy dogs gather in the library space and children are invited to read aloud to them, practicing literacy skills while building confidence in a safe, supportive environment. And yes, both dogs showed up in full heart.

Why Reading to a Therapy Dog Works

For many children, reading aloud can feel vulnerable. Mistakes feel amplified. Hesitation feels embarrassing. Anxiety can quietly rise. Therapy dogs shift the nervous system first.

When a child reads to a dog:

Anxiety decreases.
Engagement increases.
Confidence grows.
Emotional regulation improves.

Dogs don’t correct pronunciation. They don’t rush the page. They don’t signal disappointment. They simply listen.

For children navigating anxiety, trauma, or self-doubt, that kind of attuned presence can be transformative.

What You See vs. What’s Happening

In the photos, you’ll see a small brown Miniature Pinscher and a large black Golden Doodle sitting attentively with children.

What you don’t see, but is happening, is co-regulation.

You’ll notice:

Soft ear orientation toward the reader.
Relaxed posture.
Calm proximity.
Sustained stillness.

These micro-moments of safety that allow a child’s nervous system to settle enough to focus, learn, and build mastery.

As a trauma-informed clinician, I deeply believe that healing and growth don’t only happen in therapy rooms. They happen in libraries, in classrooms, and in community spaces where emotional safety is woven into everyday life.

A Note from One of Our Directors

“At Fur & Feelings, we believe that emotional safety should be accessible in the spaces where children live and learn. When a child feels calm enough to try, stumble, and try again; that’s where growth happens. Therapy dogs help create that bridge.”

— Aylin Rivera, LCSW

Vice President, Director, Fur & Feelings

Why This Matters to Our Mission

Fur & Feelings exists to expand trauma-informed therapy dog outreach throughout Phoenix and surrounding communities.

Programs like “Sit, Stay, Read” are more than literacy events. They are early interventions in confidence-building, emotional regulation, and relational safety.

Sometimes healing looks clinical. Sometimes it looks like sitting on a library chair in the afternoon sun with a dog leaning closer to hear the end of the story.

Both matter.

How You Can Support

Our community visits are volunteer-based and rooted in service. If you believe in accessible, trauma-informed outreach: