The Roxy Reading Story

Founded in 2005, Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs (RR) is a non-profit, all-volunteer therapy dog program. Since its inception, the mission of RR has been to encourage a lifelong love of reading and to empower children who are struggling with reading through the use of therapy dogs. Today, RR still prioritizes the important role of nurturing literacy in our children.

At school, our pet therapy teams visit students weekly. Children spread out on pillows (and dogs!) to read and interact with their non-judgmental and adoring furry friends. As one second grader eloquently put it, “When [the dog] cuddles in we are good at reading”.

Over time, support teachers, school administrators, parents and volunteers have witnessed the dramatic and positive change in the children working with our teams. As a result, we have expanded into another area of support, taking a leading role with children who are autistic, multiply-disabled, and those enrolled in life skills programs. Our mission statement now reflects our commitment to bring joy and comfort to students with emotional, psychological and physical challenges.

RRs dedicated volunteer base has swelled to 48 highly trained, insured and certified Pet Therapy Teams, each consisting of an Owner/Handler and their Emotional Therapy Dog(s). We are firmly committed to reaching the children who need us the most, first. Our teams have positively touched the lives of over 1000 students in 16 elementary schools in the Central Bucks School District, and have served as a model to grow new programs benefitting children outside of our immediate area.

Our Mission

“The goals of Roxy Reading, Inc. are to bring comfort to children, enhance the experience of learning, and to promote a lifelong love of reading in elementary school children through the use of therapy dogs.”

A note from the Board of Directors:
All of us at Roxy Reading are dedicated to staying true to our Mission. In addition, we are firmly committed to reaching the children who need us the most, first. We fill many important roles in our community. Most important, Roxy Reading strives to fulfill the ever-growing requests for teams in our schools.

We are not reading specialists or teachers, but facilitators of the interaction between our pets and the students we visit. Witnessing the benefits that our pet partners bring to child after child steels our resolve to touch every little one who needs a gentle friend and consistent, unconditional love.
Roxy Reading is funded through the generous support of our community, and we welcome any size donation.
We can only continue these good works through your ongoing support. Donations are tax deductible.