Friday, dozens of first graders read books to dogs as part of "Nevada Reading Week."
First-grader Breana Rogers says she always reads to her dogs, so this wasn't new to her.
"Sometimes they (dogs) just walk around in circles and then they jump on the couch and listen," she says.
But it is a new experience for many other first graders from Henderson and North Las Vegas.
Kids shared stories like "Charlie the Ranch Dog" to their new furry friends.
And like the kids, the dogs were having a great time.
PHOTOS: First graders read to dogs in kennels
Christi Dineff of The Animal Foundation says, "It's so heartwarming to see their reaction. You can see how excited the dogs are when the kids come up. And as they start reading, they start calming down. You can see them starting to lay down in their beds, like getting a night time story."
This is the third year The Animal Foundation, WGU Nevada, and CCSD teamed up to bring kids and dogs together. The goal - help bolster students' self-esteem and public speaking skills.
Spencer Stewart of WGU Nevada says, "Research shows that if kids develop this lifelong love of learning at an earlier age, they'll be much more successful later in life both academically and professionally."
And the best part? It's not just the kids who are learning new skills but the dogs as well!
"We have lots of great benefits to dogs as well - including making them comfortable with people at the front of their kennels. It helps them get adopted faster," says Dineff.
