Human-Animal Interactions to Improve Reading for Children With Learning Differences

Human-animal interactions (HAI) is a powerful and cost-effective strategy to improve reading fluencies and comprehension of children with learning differences. Emerging data suggest that HAI help promote classroom behaviors and learning, including effects on cognition, emotional functioning, and motor skills for children with and without learning differences. The HAI reading group will receive reading instruction as usual plus visits from a registered therapy dog team (dog + animal handler) twice a week over 12 weeks.