Dogs Are Now A Reader’s Best Friend

In classrooms across Chicago, some of the best listeners are neither teachers or even students — they’re dogs.

Founded in 2003, SitStayRead focuses on enhancing children’s literacy through social-emotional learning, complemented by Certified Reading Assistant Dogs who the children read to, according to the organization’s website.

The nonprofit provides classroom programs, hosts family literacy events and distributes thousands of books to classrooms and libraries to reinforce curriculum, Interim Executive Director Deirdre Harrsion said.

Harrison said her involvement stemmed from her father, who grew up poor and whose parents rarely got involved in his academic life.

“I think a lot of people grow up in cultures like that,” Harrison said. “So, how do we help make some connections and help people not be so isolated around learning?”

Despite her current career in canine-education, Harrison said she didn’t always focus on children’s development.

“I went to college really young at 17 and switched from pre-med into English and theater,” Harrison said. “So, I worked as a performer for years, but I worked often with writers. I’ve always loved stories and language, always, no matter what I’m doing.”

After spending her 20s and 30s in Europe, Harrison returned to Chicago as a mother and worked in schools with strong art programs. 

“I sort of gave up being a full-time artist, but I’ve always had this side gig, like the last decade of The Lucky Trikes,” Harrison said. “The kids love it, but it’s really modeling how you can be fun and silly reading books.”

The Lucky Trikes is a children’s band that partners with experimental jazz musicians throughout Chicago for storytime readings, according to the band’s website.

Now, at SitStayRead, Harrison continues to combine her love for storytelling and education by embracing the organization’s creative methods to engage with young readers. 

SitStayRead provides year-round literacy programs for students in kindergarten through third grade, primarily supporting schools in Chicago neighborhoods where students face economic hardships or literary challenges.

Harrison said their work primarily focuses on the South and West Sides, with key neighborhoods including Austin, Auburn Gresham, Pilsen and Little Village. Schools in these areas often struggle with literacy, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Amy Shuffelton, a professor in Loyola’s Philosophy Department, said she got involved after realizing her dog Roxy needed a job and because of her passion for working with children. 

Shuffelton said she particularly enjoyed introducing immigrant students to the common role of dogs as household pets in America.

“So these kids would come from various homes where dogs as pets was an unfamiliar idea and they were often a little weary around dogs,” Shuffelton said. “So a big part of the program was showing them how you say hi to a dog, how you greet a dog — how you interact with dogs so that the dogs don’t overreact.”

Beyond benefiting students, volunteering with SitStayRead offers both Chicagoans and visitors a chance to engage with South Side neighborhoods often associated with dangerous stereotypes, Harrison said.

The organization draws volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including undergraduate students, current and retired educators and community members. With a small staff of four employees, known as Book Buddies, the volunteers are essential to fulfilling SitStayRead’s mission.

“We have delivered more programs this year with the smallest staff the organization has ever had in years,” Harrison said. “And the only way that we can do that is with volunteer help.”

Book Buddies work directly with small groups of students on reading and writing over a six-to-eight-week period. With their Certified Reading Assistant Dog Teams, Book Buddies bring trained canines to visit classrooms and create supportive environments for children to read aloud.

Beyond supporting students, Harrison said the program provides additional support to teachers and aids, especially in the current political climate.

“There’s all sorts of budgetary issues at the state level and arguments at the city level,” Harrison said. “We’ve got principles having to figure out what happens if ICE comes in, you know? There’s a lot of stress.”

Linda McMahon was sworn in as Secretary of Education March 3, with the primary objective of overseeing the Department of Education’s closure, The Associated Press Reported.

Closing the department jeopardizes funds for Title I schools, which support underprivileged communities by providing funding for quality teachers, updated textbooks and after-school programs, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

SitStayRead has volunteer opportunities throughout the spring and summer seasons. SitStayRead will host its annual benefit “Bark ‘N Ball” at Salvage One May 9. The event is dog-friendly, with more information to come on the SitStayRead website.

There are multiple ways to get involved, both in and out of the classroom, as outlined on SitStayRead’s website.