Started working on this program after reading Dog Fancy Magazine article in 2001.

Paws 2 Read is a standing committee of Paw Prints Dog Club, Inc.

Funded by the community for the community by donations to the Victor Valley Human Race in which team members walked 2 years and made over $1300.

The premise is: Kids Read and the Dogs Listen.

Apple Valley Library:
- started "Dog Day Friday" Fall 2003.
- 2nd Friday of the month 4 PM to 5:30 PM.
- reading times scheduled by librarian.
- readers get a book to keep, "Pawographed" by the dog, after reading 10 books to the dogs or completed at home.
- get personalized bookmark with the dog's picture after 3 visits.
- always take home a sticker telling which dog they read with.
- all is funded by donations from the community.

Apple Valley Schools
Marianna Elementary - starting Fall term, 2003
Yucca Loma Elementary - starting Fall term, 2003
- program coordinated by Teacher or Reading Specialist
- readers also get books and bookmarks under different criteria

Dogs are certified therapy dogs.

Handlers and dogs are specially trained and tested

All handlers have joined Intermountain Therapy Animals R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Handlers are all volunteers with a strong sense of commitment to help improve children's reading skills.

Currently have 10 handlers and 13 dogs. 3 more teams are in training.