Classroom dogs to give children a boost with their reading

Children struggling with their reading are to be given a boost by a charitable foundation that brings dogs into the classroom.

The Kennel Club is launching the new Bark & Read Foundation to support the network of dogs that can be taken in to places of learning.

The idea behind the initiative is that children can develop confidence reading out loud to a companion who will not judge or laugh at their mistakes.

A learning support assistant (LSA) at St Matthews Primary School in Middlesex says: “There was one boy in our class who had extremely low self esteem and was declared to be essentially mute.

“On his first visit to Henry, he read his entire book, without error and in an audible voice.  He would take sly looks at Henry but did not interact with him.  In the weeks that followed, progress has been exceptional.

LSA Mrs Morgan continued: “His reading has dramatically improved and so has his confidence in reading aloud.  He will now actively contribute ideas and is thrilled when he is praised and valued.  Despite various past interventions and strategies, nothing has come close to reaching him in the way that Henry has.”

The project, to be launched this weekend at the Kennel Club’s Discover Dogs event, will support two charities currently taking dogs  into UK schools – Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) and Pets As Therapy.

Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko said: “Dogs don’t judge, they don’t laugh or correct if a child makes a mistake. In short, dogs are simply great listeners which makes all the difference for children who are struggling to read. They caught onto this idea in the States a long time ago and there is plenty of proof that it works.

“We have set up the foundation, as part of our Charitable Trust, to support those charities in the UK that are doing amazing work by taking dogs into schools and other places to help children to read. We hope that people will support the project by donating money or, if they have a dog, by coming forward and seeing if they could be a potential volunteer so that more children can benefit.”

For more information about the scheme, visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/barkandread