All ears: dogs help take pressure off reluctant readers

A north Auckland library is working with dogs to support reluctant readers.

As part of Whangaparāoa Library’s Read to a Dog programme, children aged five and above can practise their reading skills with a dog.

Senior librarian of children and youth Lana Gaevski says the goal was to provide an environment where kids can enjoy reading.

"We in the library are volunteers, not teachers, so we thought we can provide a relaxed, happy environment for reluctant readers to enjoy the process of reading and learning."

She says reading to a dog takes away the pressure that comes with reading to parents or teachers.

“Dogs don't judge and don't correct.”

Dog handler Mary Wills says she has seen big improvements in the reading of children who participate in the programme.

"There was another boy as well that came up until the beginning of this term, and I saw the same with him. I really saw an improvement in his reading."

The programme consists of an hour session on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

The children are given 15 minutes a week to read to a dog, with most taking part for a term.

The programme started in August last year to support reading, but some children ause the space to gain confidence around dogs.

Xiomara Monroy, whose son Michael participates in the programme, says it helps him practise reading, but their focus is on learning to relax with canines.

"It's more with the goal of getting comfortable with dogs."

Gaevski says the programme has a secondary goal of encouraging the children to feel comfortable with the librarians.

"It's also about relationships. We're building relationships between our librarians and the children."

She says the programme has received positive feedback from children and parents.

She also says the programme might expand to Wairau Valley for special education children on Thursdays.