Many children struggle with reading aloud in class. To help them improve and build confidence, an innovative program uses dogs to create a casual way to help students with special learning needs experience a positive reading experience.  For producer Aunshuman Apte, VOA's Jim Bertel has more on learning to read with the help of a four-legged friend.

Dune listens patiently

Del and Dune are part of a literacy program called Reading Education Assistance Dogs or READ.  Launched in 1999, READ is now in schools and libraries across the United States. 

Dog trainer Janet Golden says reading to dogs creates a relaxed environment for the children. "They will read to Dune. Dune is non-judgmental. He listens. He is not going to make fun of them."

Third-grader Rebecca Torvik agrees. "If every kid could, then I think everyone would like to do it because it is so fun."

That is the point -- using dogs to inspire children to read.