Yesterday I was contacted by the Kennel Club (London) in relation to its new charitable foundation that will help to bring dogs to children as reading companions, in a bid to halt the staggering decline in child literacy.
The Kennel Club is calling it the Bark & Read Foundation and is being officially launched at the Kennel Club’s Discover Dogs event, taking place on 12-13 November at Earls Court
The Kennel Club’s 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”
“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.”
One of the many examples is of a child who before being introduced to the programme, had extremely low self esteem and was declared to be essentially mute. The child came into contact with Pets As Therapy dog Henry in a Middlesex school and on the first visit to Henry, read an entire book, without error and in an audible voice. The child would take sly looks at Henry but did not interact with him. In the weeks that followed, progress has been exceptional. The Childs reading has dramatically improved and so has their confidence in reading aloud. The child will now actively contribute ideas and is thrilled when praised and valued. Despite various past interventions and strategies, nothing has come close to reaching the child in the way that Henry has.
Personally I think this is a fantastic venture, as not only is it helping children in overcoming an academic problem they are facing, but as a double whammy teaches them at an early age what a fantastic addition to your life, a dog can be.
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