This term the year 3 students of Assumption Catholic Primary School have been practicing their reading skills to a very special audience: a pair of ‘Story Dogs’ named Coby and Ned.
The Story Dogs program in Australia was based off a similar program in the United States, which operates on the basis that for students who find reading challenging or daunting, reading to a judgement-free canine pal can make the experience more relaxed.
Program material claims the dogs help improve students’ patience when reading, boosting their self-confidence and their reading skills.
Assumption’s science teacher Jo Drew and Greenfields Vet Cindy Waters volunteered their own dogs to try out the program at the school.
“We’re the second school in WA to start it,” Ms Drew said.
“Dogs don’t have any expectations, they just love listening and being patted.
“They’ve found that kids who read to dogs are calmer, feel more at ease, and get more confident with their reading, and there’s no judgement.”
Ms Waters said that for students who may not feel so comfortable reading to an adult, interacting with the dogs was a huge help.
“We’re not here to correct their words or anything, just to make them feel happy reading,” she said.
Year 3 student Campbell said he liked reading to the dogs, and the dogs seemed to enjoy it too.
“They’re definitely listening,” he said, patting Coby, a labrador.
“He listens, and gets calmed down.”
The dogs have to go under an exam and a health test to qualify for the program.
Students who are less confident with reading were chosen for regular sessions with the Story Dogs, though Ms Drew said every child from year 3 would get to have a go at some point.
