PJ's Pals is a group of dedicated volunteer registered therapy dog teams that visit schools and libraries, primarily in the High Desert area of California, to promote children's literacy. Some of our teams also visit residential care facilities, hospitals, a children’s bereavement center, Camp Erin, and a domestic violence home.

All teams are registered with a nationally recognized agency such as Delta Society or Therapy Dogs Incorporated, each dog and handler has successfully completed extensive training, and each team has been tested under real life situations to assure skills and temperament meet high standards. The teams have also been specially trained to do the R.E.A.D.® program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and are registered with ITA.

PJ's Pals uses dogs as non-judgmental observers while children read to them. We donate books and provide special incentives to children at schools and at libraries to make reading fun and relaxed.

PJ's Pals is a Reading Education Assistance Dog® program of Helping Hounds Inc., our parent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. We do not charge recipients for our services, for books or visitations. Our work is funded by donations from the community. Our motto is “To Improve Children’s Literacy One Paw In One Hand At A Time!” All donations and bequests are welcomed and are tax deductible for income tax purposes.