Australian literacy program using dogs to help children read aloud
Consensus Summary
The Story Dogs program in Australia uses 389 dogs, including Tashi a miniature poodle, to help primary school children build reading confidence. Founded in 2009 by Janine Sigley and Leah Sheldon, the initiative targets children who struggle with anxiety or learning difficulties by providing a non-judgmental, patient companion during reading sessions. Volunteers like Sue Bognar accompany the dogs, assisting with pronunciation and fostering relationships with students. The program operates in every state except the Northern Territory, with sessions held weekly at schools like Bondi Public. Recent Naplan results highlight literacy challenges among students, underscoring the programās relevance. Children practice reading aloud to the dogs, often forming strong bonds that encourage home practice. The program emphasizes creating a positive association with reading, reducing pressure on young learners. While Tashiās exact age varies slightly in reporting, her role as a beloved Story Dog remains central to the initiativeās success.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tashi is a 10-year-old miniature poodle participating in the Story Dogs literacy program in Sydney
- Story Dogs involves 389 dogs across Australia (excluding Northern Territory) helping primary school students read
- The program was established in 2009 by Janine Sigley and Leah Sheldon in regional New South Wales
- Story Dogs is modeled on a similar US-based program using dogs as education assistance animals
- The program aims to help children gain confidence and ability to read aloud, especially those with anxiety or learning difficulties
- Tashiās owner, Sue Bognar, volunteers at Bondi Public School where the program operates
- The program operates on Fridays at 9am, with sessions lasting about two hours
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Tashi is described as a 5-year-old miniature poodle when adopted by Sue Bognar (though later stated as 10 years old in the same articleālikely a typo or misstatement)
- Bognar worked in the education system and as a librarian for 50 years before retiring
- The program helps children with ADHD or learning difficulties by allowing them to take their time and stroke the dog
- Bognar mentions the association of pleasure with reading as a key goal of the program
- Harlow, a Bondi Public School student, reads 'Pig the Grub' to Tashi, with Bognar assisting with pronunciation of 'hygiene'
- Sigley states that children form a strong bond with the dogs and practice reading at home afterward
- Naplan results show four in 10 students perform below expectations in grammar/punctuation and one in three fall behind in reading/spelling
- Tashi is the only Story Dog at Bondi Public School in Sydney
- Bognar says reading in front of a whole class can be 'pretty scary' for children
- Tashi is described as 'very special' by Bognar, combining placid and loving traits
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Tashi is a 10-year-old miniature poodle but earlier mentions she was five when adopted by Bognar (likely a discrepancy in age)
- No contradictions found between the two articles beyond the age ambiguity of Tashi
Source Articles
Meet Tashi, the miniature poodle helping children gain the confidence to read aloud ā video
Tashi is one of 389 dogs across Australia that are part of a literacy program called Story Dogs, which helps primary school students gain the confidence and ability to read aloud. The dogs are accompa...
Dog-eared page-turners: how Tashi and 388 other canines are helping Australian children to read
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