Puppy professors used to boost literacy in Victorian schools

READING dogs are helping Victorian students get top barks. Research has proven man’s best friend can work wonders in the classroom.

Tintern Grammar students Adam Blake, 10, and Tim Elliot-Bruce, 10, read with school dog, Belle. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

READING dogs are helping students get top barks.

Schools across the state are introducing pooch professors to keep classrooms quiet and help improve literacy.

International research has found reading aloud to a dog can improve a students’ reading by 12 per cent.

DOG THERAPY: THE LONG TERM BENEFITS OF MIXING KIDS AND ANIMALS

DOGS AT WORK RELIEVE STRESS, RESEARCH SHOWS

Labrador Belle had to pass a behavioural test to prove she was the pawfect student.

She is all ears at Tintern Grammar in Ringwood East.

Tintern Grammar’s Tim Elliot-Bruce reads a Ronald Dahl classic to Belle. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Principal Brad Fry said the seven-month-old helped relieve stress and calm students.

“A lot of the students are more comfortable reading to someone or a dog than to themselves,” he said.

“Having an animal in the classroom also has a calming affect. That enables students to concentrate better.”

Research from the University of California attributed students’ improved reading to a dog’s “patient, non-judgmental attention”.

It also found that reading aloud to a dog gave the students more confidence.

Warrnambool East Primary School enrolled Jack Russell cross, Maggie, to help with reading and pet therapy five weeks ago.

“Some of the kids have come leaps and bounds since we’ve had Maggie in the school,” student counsellor James Chapman said.

“It shocked me the sudden benefit having her here has had.

“The bigger, tougher, rougher kids show their soft side with her.”