Children read to dogs for National Storytelling Week
Image: Kennel Club
As part of a nation-wide celebration of storytelling this week, dogs have become the unlikely reading partners of children. National Storytelling Week, which runs from 26 January to 2 February, aims to promote storytelling in schools, libraries, museums and art galleries across the UK.
The Kennel Club have joined in with the awareness drive by funding the Bark and Read Scheme, supporting charities that take dogs into schools and libraries for children to read to. The scheme has been running for just over 12 months, and aims to improve confidence by encouraging children to read to a non-judgemental companion.
According to the Kennel Club's librarian Ciara Farrell, the scheme has seen fantastic results, with reading levels shooting up, and children becoming more confident and interested in reading. She said: "National Storytelling Week is a great opportunity to highlight the value of the art of storytelling. Bark and Read has had some fantastic results from children reading to dogs - one school has seen a pupil's reading age increase by two years in just six months.
"I hope all the children involved have a great time reading their favourite stories to their four-legged friends in celebration of National Storytelling Week."
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary added: “Storytelling is an important part of education. Reading stories can help build confidence and improve literacy skills and reading to dogs is proven to help develop these skills through both the calming effect of the dog and the fact that the dog will listen to a child read without being critical."
Actress Zoe Wanamaker CBE also supports the scheme, calling it "an inspiring idea." She adds: "We all know that dogs are great listeners and won't judge if we stumble over a word. The concept makes reading time fun and helps to develop children's self esteem and passion for reading while they're still finding their voice."
The Bark and Read Foundation supports four charities: Pets As Therapy, through their Read 2 Dogs programme; Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ); Dogs Helping Kids, a North Devon charity, and Caring Canines, based in Bournemouth.
Click here for more information on the Bark and Read Scheme.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
