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Man’s best reading buddy? Literacy program encourages kids to read to dogs

(Emily Frost/Twitter)
(Emily Frost/Twitter)

Dogs don’t judge you if you stumble over a word or two.

And for the past seven years, dogs have been helping second-graders boost their reading-confidence through JCC Manhattan’s Gift of Literacy program at P.S. 163.

For an hour after school every Wednesday, students can practice reading out loud to two very patient listeners: Molly and Leo, 10-year-old Havanese dogs.

"They have total freedom. They can really relax," program director Judy Gross said of the students.

The program also provides the students an after-school meal and one-on-one time with Gross and other tutors. The big appeal, however, is the time reading to the dogs.

Gross told DNA Info that the program, which is offered to 15 students who have been selected by their teachers, makes the students “feel special” and “feel like stars” because they’ve been singled out to get to spend time with the friendly dogs.

“They look forward to it,” she said.

A mother of one of the young students told DNA Info that her daughter now reads more often at home.

Another student now also reads to her dogs at home.

"I like reading to dogs. I like giving them treats," second-grader Karol said. "They're really kind to me."

According to the program’s website, students who complete the Gift of Literacy program continue participating in an after-school program until Grade 5, working one-on-one with reading and math tutors.

“Most of the students chosen for the program are English Language Learners whose families speak another language at home and need additional individual support to acquire the basic skills necessary to succeed in school,” the website explained.