Looking to develop and improve your child’s reading skills?
Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s Reading Dogs program is aimed at creating a safe environment that builds confidence in reading and communication skills while in the company of our volunteer dog teams.
Located across all three council areas (Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea), Reading Dogs sessions run on weekends and during school days. Bookings and event listings can be found online through our events page.
Program Background
Since 2012, Yarra Plenty’s Reading Dog Program has been a leader across Victorian public libraries in assisting children in developing their reading skills. Our program foundations are based on Story Dogs Inc, an Australian school-based program, and the successful American literacy program Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D). The R.E.A.D program was launched in 1999 in Utah as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing idea of children and young adolescents reading to dogs.
Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears. “Fear can destroy intelligence,” says educator William Ayers. Animals are ideal reading companions because they help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure, listen attentively, do not judge, laugh or criticise, allow children to proceed at their own pace, and are less intimidating than peers or adults.
Join the YPRL Reading Dogs program!
Applications are now open.
To find out more and to register, please visit our Volunteer page.
Our Reading Dog Teams
Our dog teams and their handlers are active members of our community and have a passion for literacy and fostering community connections.
We actively recruit new dog teams throughout the year for various libraries when needed. All breeds can participate, except for restricted dog breeds. A dog’s temperament, obedience, willingness and training is of utmost importance to make a successful reading dog team. Dogs must pass an accreditation test carried out by a certified dog trainer, as well as be vaccinated, immaculately groomed with yearly vet checks.