Volunteers Flick and Charmaine visit the National Library of Australia monthly, where kids are invited to share stories (and pats) with patient pooches. Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
Well-read canines Scout and Priscilla calmly greet the children gathered on the mat, weaving between them politely before settling down, ready to receive endless pats from busy little hands. It’s time for a story.
On the last Sunday of every month at the National Library, volunteer Story Dogs handlers share stories with a rapt audience of kids and canines.
It’s just one event on the Story Dogs calendar, a unique not-for-profit reading support program aimed at changing attitudes and building confidence.
Each week, these busy bookhounds visit 15 schools and four libraries across Canberra.
In school environments, kids are offered a calm space and one-on-one time to read aloud to the patient pooches.
Leah Sheldon and Janine Sigley started laying the framework for Story Dogs more than 18 years ago after seeing similar programs in the US.
Combining their respective backgrounds in adult literacy education and volunteer management, they launched Story Dogs two years later, with “gentle giant” Simba – Leah’s Rhodesian Ridgeback – first entering classrooms in a small school in northern NSW.
The program has grown to partner with 419 schools nationwide, helping over 2900 children every week.
Janine says it’s the non-judgmental nature of dogs that helps improve kids’ confidence, focus and literacy skills.
“When children read to a dog, the outcomes are amazing,” she said.
“The children’s focus improves, their literacy skills increase and their confidence soars. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic and helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while reading to a friendly, calm dog.”
Volunteers are trained to make reading sessions enjoyable and focus on enjoying great stories together, rather than using traditional teaching methods.
“We leave the teaching to the very skilled and amazing teachers, and we focus on making reading sessions fun, so that students want to read.”
When it comes to support animals, is there such a thing as being too calm? Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
One volunteer describes the transformation of a Year Two student named Jayon, who “wanted nothing to do with reading” until he met Rosie the Story Dog.
“He was unable to hold the book still, which would obviously make it difficult for him to read, and he would lose interest very quickly.
“To keep him focused and still, I asked him to pat or massage Rosie’s back, which helped keep his hands busy – and Rosie certainly didn’t mind a bit.”
As Jayon’s bond with Rosie grew, so too did his enthusiasm and literacy skills. He progressed through reading levels and even received a special ‘Growth Award’ at the end-of-year assembly.
“His teacher also kept me up to date with his progress in class. It was wonderful to hear that not only had his reading improved dramatically, but his writing, focus and behaviour also improved.
“He developed a beautiful bond with Rosie, and she would show him so much love and affection. She knew that he needed her and it was lovely to watch them together.”
While there are over 580 Dog Teams across the country, demand currently outstrips the number of available volunteers in the Canberra region.
“Currently, there are over 14 schools that would like the program, but we have yet to find a suitable volunteer,” said Janine.
So, what makes a good Story Dog team?
Janine says they come in all shapes and sizes, with the right temperament and a good bond between volunteer and dog being essential.
Prospective Story Dogs are carefully assessed via a veritable obstacle course of distractions.
Can they walk past a stray lunchbox? Remain calm in the face of an opening umbrella? Resist a nearby bouncing ball?
And while nothing excites primary school kids more than a dog loose on the playground, these professional pups must be calm and under the control of their volunteers at all times.
“The welfare of the dog is paramount to Story Dogs. If the dog is not enjoying the sessions, we need to stop or make changes to ensure they are not stressed. A happy dog is a safe dog.”
With five-year goals around doubling their volunteer base and reach, Story Dogs’ ultimate ‘big, hairy, audacious goal’ is to have a Dog Team in every primary school in Australia.
“The key difference we make to students is all about changing attitudes and self-confidence,” she said.
“If a student does not want to read or is fearful of reading, it is very hard for the teachers to teach them to read. However, after being in our program, they can’t wait to read. They see it as fun and want to really try hard for their furry friend. Over time, confidence improves, which leads to students picking up books more often.”
For more information, visit Story Dogs.
