BARK: Read to Dogs at El Retiro Library in Redondo Beach

Date: Friday, August 1, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: El Retiro Library – 126 Vista del Parque, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Give your child the chance to build confidence and develop a love for reading in the most heartwarming way—by reading aloud to a friendly, certified therapy dog!

On Friday, August 1 at 11:00 AM, head to El Retiro Library for BARK: Read to Dogs, a special school-age program that helps kids improve literacy skills in a fun and supportive environment. There’s something magical about reading to dogs—these gentle listeners provide a judgment-free space that makes learning to read feel exciting and rewarding.

Why it works

Certified therapy dogs are calm, patient, and wonderful companions, making them the perfect audience for new or hesitant readers. When children read to dogs, they:

• Build reading fluency and confidence
  
  

• Practice at their own pace without pressure
  
  

• Learn to associate reading with positive and joyful experiences
  
  

What to know

• Designed for school-age children
  
  

• Free to attend
  
  

• No registration required—just bring your child and their favorite book or pick one from the library’s collection
  
  

• Library staff and dog handlers will be there to guide the program
  
  

Encouraging reading in a supportive environment is one of the best ways to help kids succeed, and this event offers the perfect mix of education and fun. This is why We Love South Bay Local.

Mark your calendar, bring your young reader, and watch their confidence grow—one story at a time.