Dogs are more than just man's best friend — they are also our kids' best reading buddies. In 2010, the University of California found that reading to dogs can actually improve children's literacy skills. In fact, young children who read out loud to dogs in a partially supervised environment throughout the 10-week study showed a 12 percent increase in their reading skills. Kids feel more relaxed and confident when reading aloud to an attentive pup, and they also have a lot more fun!

These photos of children reading books to dogs are sure to make you smile!

Snuggling up with a young reader is all in a day's work for this therapy pooch. 

Photo Source: You Belong in Longmont via Flickr

Two readers makes for twice the fun! 

Photo Source: UCI UC Irvine via Flickr. 

This playful pal can't wait to see what happens next in this "pup-up" book. 

Photo Source: San José Library via Flickr

Canine companions are sure to bring a smile to any child's face.

Photo Source: Arlington Public Library via Flickr. 

The dog on this page looks exactly like you! 

Photo Source: Anoka County Library via Flickr. 

Story time is always paw-some with company! 

Photo Source: Barely via Flickr. 

This baby proves that you can never be too young to read to a faithful doggie or three. 

Photo Source: Fairfax Library Foundation via Flickr

It's so cute to see children reading books to dogs, and knowing that it helps improve kids' literacy skills makes it that much better. As you can see in the pictures, the kids reading aloud to the pups are smiling, happy and confident. So the next time your child cracks open a book, encourage her to share the story with her favorite dog — and don't forget to snap a photo to capture the cuteness!

Article provided by Purina

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