Intermountain Therapy Animals / R.E.A.D. Store

Olivia, the Portuguese Water Dog adopted from an animal shelter by Sandi Martin, helped inspire Sandi to create the idea for Reading Education Assistance Dogs®.  Together, they became R.E.A.D. Team #1.

Though Olivia lived for only 2.5 years, the program she inspired is going strong today-15 years later.  R.E.A.D. has become not just the first, but the best, the most powerful and effective literacy support program in which kids can experience the joys of reading and books. It happens in the best possible way, through the companionship of a R.E.A.D.-trained therapy animal at their side.  Since R.E.AD.. began in 1999, we have registered more than 4,000 therapy teams throughout the world.  R.E.A.D. team s in all 50 states and 13 other countries are donating their time and expertise to help children improve their literacy and communication skills.

In honor of its 15th anniversary, we are creating an endowment fund to ensure that the R.E.A.D. program continues long after most of us are long gone.  In honor of the little dog who helped start it all, we are calling it Olivia's Legacy.

As someone who appreciates the program and its value, we invite you to consider a small donation of $15-one dollar for each year of the R.E.A.D. program so far.  Olivia's Legacy is committed to continuing this program that has not only been the first of its kind, but a program that can provide the very best training for all therapy teams who want to make an incredible difference in a young child's life by inspiring a love of reading.  Your financial support can ensure that this will happen.

You will also receive an 11x17" copy of the dazzling 15th Anniversary poster by folk artist Ande Cook, pictured top left.