Happiness is a good book and a friendly dog

HONEY, a golden retriever is lying on the floor, tail sweeping back and forwards.

Seven-year-old Mia, a grade 2 pupil at Buninyong Primary School, sits propped up on pillows beside the dog and reads Macca the alpaca to her.

Mia reads to Honey and her owner Jacqui MacMillan each Tuesday as part of the Story Dogs program.

Ms MacMillan said the project is designed to improve children’s reading, writing and communication skills in a comfortable environment

“Honey and I love sharing our joy of reading and having fun,” she said. “Instead of children like Mia doing remedial classes they get to read to Honey in a quiet corner of the classroom away from the hubbub of the other students.”

Story Dogs is based on the successful American literacy program, Reading Education Assistance Dogs launched in 1999 in Utah, USA.

Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears.

Animals are ideal reading companions because they don’t judge, laugh or criticise and allow children to proceed at their own pace.

Ms MacMillan and Honey have undertaken extensive training with the Australian Story Dogs organisation.

She takes a backpack into class filled with books, suited to the student´s reading level, from which the kids can choose.

The reading sessions lasts for approximately 20 minutes where each child is one-on-one with the dog team.

During the session, Ms MacMillan may speak through the dog such as “Honey doesn’t understand what is happening on this page, could you help her out Mia?”

“When children read to a dog, the outcomes are amazing,” she said. “It is a non-judgemental setting, the children’s focus improves, their literacy skills increase and their confidence soars.

“The accepting, loving nature of Honey gives this program its magic.

“She helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while reading to a friendly, calm dog.”

David Young, Deputy Principal, at the school said the Story Dogs program is a great opportunity for students to build self-confidence with their reading.

“Jacqui and Honey have been a valuable asset to the classroom,” he said. “They support pupils to talk about the books they are reading and bring purpose to the learning.”

The course is available to all primary schools, both state and private, and is free to all participating students.

Handlers and the dogs visit the school of their choice every week, same day and same time, for approximately a two-hour block of time.

“I would love to see every school in Ballarat have a Story Dog,” Ms MacMillan said. “We are very fortunate the Buninyong branch of the Bendigo Bank sponsors the program at the school.

“This helps cover the costs of the vests both Honey and I wear, her blanket and pays for the books and insurance.”

Story Dogs currently have just over 500 volunteer teams across the country with only 68 per cent of them sponsored.

Anyone with a calm and friendly dog can find further information online at storydogs.org.au.