Dog-Harmony | Dogs help children read

READing Paws Program Receives Pawsitive Feedback From Okaloosa County Schools

by Webmaster | May 19, 2026 | Testimonials

The student “has had such a great success with Reading with a Dog this year. It has built his confidence and helped him become more successful in reading. His State Testing score went up a level, and I believe Reading with a Dog helped him achieve this goal! Please thank the Reading with a Dog group for helping [him] with his reading. The help they gave him in building a good reading foundation and raising his reading confidence will be with him throughout his education!”

Teacher

Okaloosa County School District

“I wanted to let you know that I have seen an improvement in [the Student’s] behavior in class and his focus has been better since he started seeing the therapy dog. There is a calmness in him that was rarely seen before and he scored a level 2 on the ELA FAST! The therapy has helped him be successful.”

Teacher

Okaloosa County School District

The student “really enjoyed getting to go read to the dog. On multiple occasions, he would ask if he was going to go to the library to read after PE, even though it was not the day of the week for it. He still would ask, because he truly looked forward to going. He felt special getting to go read on the days the pup was on campus.”

Teacher

Okaloosa County School District

“Just a quick note to let you know [the student] enjoyed reading with Paws this year. He always had a smile on his face going and coming. He says it helped calm him for the remainder of the day.”

Teacher

Okaloosa County School District

photograph of bonnie london with her reading paws therapy dog, scout, at an okaloosa county, florida school

photograph of millie the therapy dog with her handler

Paws and Pages: Dog-Harmony Brings Animal-Assisted Children’s Literacy Program to Four Area Libraries

by Webmaster | May 12, 2026 | Press Releases

By Christie Solomon

Miramar Beach, Fla. — This summer, Okaloosa and Walton County students have new opportunities to build reading confidence with Dog-Harmony’s animal-assisted literacy program, Paws and Pages, at four public libraries in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Freeport.

The program pairs children with registered therapy dog teams trained through READing Paws, an affiliate of R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®), the nation’s first comprehensive animal-assisted literacy program. Sessions are held monthly at each public library branch and are open to children of all reading levels.

“Paws and Pages is about more than just books — it’s about the connection between the child and the dog that opens the door to a lifelong love of reading,” said Nancy Bown, founder of Dog-Harmony. “We see children who were once hesitant to read aloud suddenly blossom when they have a dog by their side.”

According to research, four requisite dimensions must be present to encourage children to read: a sense of self-efficacy, motivation, perception of reading as a social activity, and a calm environment. Dogs are non-judgmental, social animals whose mere presence can reduce stress and anxiety. In a reading context, READing Paws therapy dogs provide children with extra encouragement, confidence, and added joy in reading that extends beyond the library.

One Okaloosa County teacher shared that her student’s participation in Dog-Harmony’s READing Paws program this past year improved her student’s confidence and his reading skills. “His state testing score went up a level, and I believe reading with a dog helped him achieve this goal!” She continued, saying, “The help they gave him in building a good reading foundation and raising his reading confidence will be with him throughout his education!”

Community members are invited to sign up for sessions with Dog-Harmony’s READing Paws teams on a rotating monthly schedule at these libraries in Okaloosa and Walton Counties:

Niceville Public Library: Every first Saturday morning
Crestview Public Library: Every second Saturday morning
Fort Walton Beach Library: Every third Saturday morning
Freeport Public Library: Every first and third Wednesday afternoon

Dog-Harmony plans to introduce Paws and Pages literacy programs at Walton-Defuniak Library and Coastal Branch Library by the fall. Families must register for individual reading time slots directly with the library of their choice.

To learn more about the program and participating libraries, visit: https://dog-harmony.org/therapy-dog-team-management.

About READing Paws

READing Paws is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) affiliate of R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®), a program of Intermountain Therapy Animals® of Salt Lake City, Utah. Launched in 1999, R.E.A.D. is the first comprehensive literacy program built around the idea of children reading to therapy dogs. READing Paws deploys nationally registered therapy animal-handler teams as reading companions in schools, libraries, and community settings across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Tennessee. All teams undergo national criminal background checks and meet rigorous health, safety, and temperament standards. For more information, visit www.readingpaws.org.

Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.ing Paws) at Fort Walton Beach Library

by Webmaster | Jan 7, 2026

Announcing New READing Paws Partnership with Fort Walton Beach Library! 📚 🐾

Experience one-on-one reading with a trained therapy dog on Saturday, January 31, between 10:30 am and 12:45 pm at the FWB Library! Each child will have 20 minutes to read with an evaluated therapy dog in the READing Paws program.

Registration, which opens January 10 at 10:00 am, is required in person or by calling the library directly at 850-833-9590.

Suggested ages: 4-12. The child should be able to read or already be learning to read.

Parents must remain with their children.

https://okaloosa.librarycalendar.com/event/read-reading-education-assistance-dogs-67169

NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL Bound in with Gift to Grow Dog-Harmony Therapy Dog Teams

by Webmaster | Sep 25, 2025 | News, Press Releases

Miramar Beach, Fla. — In September, NextEra Energy Foundation awarded Dog-Harmony, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the bond between people and animals through humane education and professionally evaluated therapy dog team programs, a $5,000 grant. The NextEra Energy Foundation is a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

This grant will help expand the recruitment, specialty training, evaluation, management, and deployment of new therapy dog teams serving children and families across Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties in Northwest Florida. The therapy dog teams, consisting of a volunteer and their dog, offer structured literacy support through the READing Paws program, support humane education classes in libraries for children and families, conduct hospital visits for patients and staff, and provide wellness visits for at-risk youth.

Dog-Harmony partners with local schools, public libraries, and non-profit facilities, including Children in Crisis, Lotus Learning Center, and Westonwood Ranch, to offer these services at no cost to the community. At the end of September 2025, Dog-Harmony served a total of 2,090 children. As the demand for therapy dog teams continues to grow, exceeding the nonprofit’s resources, the NextEra Energy Foundation grant helps ensure that more children will have access to the emotional comfort and academic encouragement they provide.

“We are very grateful to FPL and the NextEra Energy Foundation for this generous support,” said Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, Founder of Dog-Harmony. “This funding allows us to expand the number of therapy dog teams so more children can experience the calming effects that come from reading and emotionally connecting with a supportive therapy dog.”

“Supporting organizations like Dog-Harmony reflects the NextEra Energy Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the communities we serve,” said J.T. Young, Vice President and General Manager of FPL’s northwest region. “Therapy dog programs provide invaluable emotional support and educational benefits to children and families, helping build stronger, more resilient communities. We’re honored to partner with nonprofits that make such a meaningful difference in the lives of families.”

For more information about Dog-Harmony’s programs or to learn how to get involved, visit https://dog-harmony.org. Follow the celebration online: #FPLCares.

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About Dog-Harmony: Dog-Harmony is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2015 by certified professional dog trainer Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the bond between dogs and humans through community education. In essence, it helps dogs rescue people. Dog-Harmony’s key programs include therapy dog team support services, humane education for children and families, Keeping Dogs in Homes, and pet bereavement counseling. These programs are made possible through donations, grants, and the continued support of dedicated volunteers. For more information, visit www.dog-harmony.org.

About NextEra Energy Foundation: NextEra Energy Foundation partners with and invests in non-profit organizations throughout Northwest Florida. It aims to build strong and sustainable communities, improving the lives of its customers through innovation, sustainability, opportunity, and safety. The NextEra Energy Foundation is a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

Boomer’s Story

by HKarr | Dec 19, 2024 | Community, Paw Print Press

Written by Jeri McClung and shared with Dog-Harmony

Life is filled with little joyful moments.

I’m sharing one that happened in my veterinarian’s office today. I hope it makes you smile.

A young lady, 19 yrs old now, is a vet tech in-training. While Boomer (now 18.5 yrs old) was in the back for his check-up, she came to the lobby and asked “is that the same Boomer that me and my sister used to read with at the library?”

When she told me their names, I got chill bumps.

What are the odds?!?!

They were both regular readers at the Fort Walton Beach Library. Her little sister was very attached to Boomer and she improved her reading over 3 years.

On the way home, I could not get my eyes to stop misting!

Boomer the Therapy Dog helping a child read a book.

Boomer the Therapy Dog waiting to read with children in the READ program at a local Library.

ITA Pet therapy and the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) programs are home runs.

Over 800 Hours of Service

When Boomer retired in March 2024, he had over 800 hours of community volunteer work including the READ program at schools, libraries, hospice work/visits, visits at many assisted living facilities and several years of visits at Okaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center.

READing Paws Program Receives Pawsitive Feedback From Okaloosa County Schools