Introducing
Bentley and Kora our New Story Dogs
We
are very excited to introduce Bentley and Kora our new Yarrilee Story Dogs as
part of the R.E.A.D Story Dogs Program. Bentley and Kora replace Cheya and Connie who have now retired.
Yarrilee SS is the first state school north of Brisbane to
join this wonderful program.
Story
Dogs Inc is based on the successful American literacy program Reading Education
Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.). The R.E.A.D program was launched in 1999 in Utah
USA, as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing
idea of children and young adolescents reading to dogs.
Story
Dogs Inc improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a
powerful method - reading to a dog. But not just any dog. Story Dogs are
accredited companion animals who volunteer with their owner/handler as a team,
going to schools and libraries.
Why
dogs?
Learning
to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming
fears.
“Fear can destroy
intelligence,” says educator William Ayers. Animals are ideal reading
companions because they help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure,
listen attentively, do not judge, laugh or criticise, allow children to proceed
at their own pace, and are less intimidating than peers or adults.
We are very excited
about being a part of this fantastic program.
