Reading Session
Story Dogs enables a child and a dog with their volunteer handler a weekly one-on-one reading session held at the child’s reading level throughout the course of a school year. The literacy program is based on the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) model. The READ program has successfully proven the educational benefits of reading to dogs since 1999.
Story Dog Volunteers are guided on working with children to go at the child’s pace and use the calming presence of the dog to support comprehension during each 20 minute reading session. Books are chosen to be fun and interesting, and are matched to the literacy level of the student. During a session, the volunteer handler often speaks through the dog. Adapting the learning environment by involving the dog such as “Simba doesn't understand what is happening on this page, could you help him out?” encourages the child’s confidence to navigate ‘teaching’ the dog in a trusting and shared learning environment
We help over 2785 children every week to become confident lifelong readers.
Our Mission
Create a safe, fun, supportive, non-judgemental environment for primary school aged children needing assistance with literacy.
The dog makes all the difference
These are the stories of the children whose lives have changed thanks to your generous donations.
Take a moment to be inspired by some amazing stories of the success of the Story Dogs program. Some of these stories also show why Story Dogs is so much more than a reading support program.
We change lives!
We are always looking for sponsors for our Story Dogs.
Teacher Feedback
These are the stories of the children whose lives have changed thanks to your generous donations.
Take a moment to be inspired by some amazing stories of the success of the Story Dogs program. Some of these stories also show why Story Dogs is so much more than a reading support program.
We change lives!
Graeme Base says:
Story Dogs is very lucky to have the support of an internationally acclaimed Australian children's author and illustrator in Graeme Base. Here is what he said about Story Dogs.
"It was at an outdoor book festival that I first came across Story Dogs. Squeezed between the crowded book marquees was a little tent in which sat three gorgeous dogs, happily accepting the adoration of all who came across them.
Curious (and also wanting to pat them) I began chatting with the handler. It turned out they were specially chosen for their patient temperaments to sit with children with reading difficulties and listen to them read.
What a stunning idea!
Literacy is crucial to every child’s future, and those who fall behind when they are young inevitably struggle to catch up. What better way to break down the barriers that build up in such a child‘s mind than by sharing and explaining a book with a dog who needs a little help with some of the words…?
I am delighted to add my name in support of this inspired initiative - for the path to a happy and rewarding life is generously paved in well-read, dog-eared books!
Hooray for Story Dogs (woof!)"
- Graeme Base, 2019