Story Dogs receive their first Toowoomba reading buddies

Toowoomba’s very first Story Dog recruit is ready to teach Year 2 students new tricks.

Story Dogs is looking for good boys and girls of the two and four legged variety to help grow its reading program for Year 2 students around Toowoomba.

The volunteer based charity has successfully recruited its first reading buddies after primary school teacher Kate Finn and her eager two-year-old golden retriever Daisy were more than willing to lend a paw.

“As soon as I heard about the program I was really excited for us to get involved,” Mrs Finn said.

“Anything that involves animals is great for children because it helps reduce their anxiety and nerves and I couldn’t really think of a better friend to read to than Daisy.”

Story Dogs Toowoomba volunteer Kate Finn with her two-year-old golden retriever Daisy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Story Dogs first launched in 2009 and helps students around Australia gain more confidence with their reading by allowing them a 15-20 minute session with a reading team once a week.

“It’s incredible to see just how much it really helps students with their reading,” Toowoomba co-ordinator Petra Westphal said.

“In just a couple of weeks Story Dogs can help a child who is struggling to read a line at a time to suddenly loving reading and tearing through books with ease.

“We’re absolutely rapt to have Kate and Daisy become our first Toowoomba team and they will be starting the Story Dog program at Middle Ridge State School in a few weeks time.”

BARK OF APPROVAL: Story Dogs Toowoomba volunteer Kate Finn and her two-year-old golden retriever Daisy can’t wait to get into the classroom to help Toowoomba students gain more confidence with their reading as part of the Story Dogs volunteer program. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Thanks to the generous support from the team at Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital, Kate and Daisy’s weekly reading program has been fully sponsored, meaning five students will be able to receive one-on-one reading time with Daisy each week.

“It’s something we are excited to sponsor as it’s so important to develop a love of reading early in life,” practice manager Gillian Spanner said.

“We feel honoured to support Story Dogs and hope the program continues to grow and more reading teams and school and sponsors come on board over time.”

Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital practice manager Gillian Spanner, Story Dogs co-ordinator Petra Westphal, volunteer Kate Finn and two-year-old golden retriever Daisy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

If you and your four legged friend are both fond of a good book, can regularly volunteer up a couple hours of your time to become and think you have what it takes to become Toowoomba’s next reading buddy team, call Petra on 0419 137 716 or email [e-mail].

Similarly if you’re part of a Toowoomba school or business and you’d like to get involved don’t hesitate to reach out.
Ms Westphal is eager to grow the Toowoomba program to more schools around Toowoomba but needs the sponsorship to make it happen so get in touch today.