Australian literacy program uses dogs to help children read aloud with confidence

Consensus Summary

The Story Dogs program in Australia uses 389 dogs, including a 10-year-old miniature poodle named Tashi, to help primary school children build confidence in reading aloud. Volunteers like Sue Bognar bring their dogs to schools for one-on-one 20-minute sessions, where children read to the dogs while owners assist with pronunciation and encouragement. The program targets children with anxiety, learning difficulties, or limited home reading access, leveraging the dogs’ non-judgmental nature to create a low-pressure environment. Founded in 2009 by Janine Sigley and Leah Sheldon in regional New South Wales, the initiative is modeled on a US program and now operates nationwide except in the Northern Territory. Sue Bognar, a retired educator and librarian, volunteers with Tashi at Bondi Public School, the only Sydney school with the program, where children also engage in longer 2-hour sessions. Recent Naplan results highlighting literacy gaps underscore the program’s relevance, as children practice reading to the dogs and form bonds that motivate them to continue at home. The initiative emphasizes the positive association between reading and pleasure, with Bognar noting that dogs provide unconditional acceptance, reducing children’s fear of mistakes.