Story Dogs @ Inverloch Library

Inverloch Library 03-56741169

Myli – My Community Library is pleased to offer the Story Dogs program during school term at the Inverloch Libary.

Story Dogs is based on 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, USA, as the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing idea of children reading to dogs.

Reading sessions take place in a quiet area of the Library, reading session is approximately 20 minutes long, where each child is one-on-one with the dog team. Books are chosen to suit the student’s reading level.

When children read to a dog, the outcomes are amazing! It is a non-judgemental setting, the children’s focus improves, their literacy skills increase and their confidence soars. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic and helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while reading to a friendly, calm dog.

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 promote relaxation and lower blood pressure, do not judge, laugh or criticise and allow children to proceed at their own pace.

Which children are chosen for the program?

The children are usually Year 2 students, generally between seven- and eight-years-old.

Story Dogs does not assess the children in any way, as the sessions are designed to be as fun and non-threatening as possible.

Parental consent is required before a child can participate in the program.

The volunteers

Story Dogs handlers are volunteers trained to help emergent readers. The handler will not judge the child and will help in a non-threatening way. We are fully insured and our handlers have Working with Children Check as per State legislation.

More information about Story Dogs can be obtained here.

Event Partner

Our Story Dogs program is kindly sponsored by RACV Inverloch Resort.

Additional information

• Registration is required for this session. If you need to cancel your booking, please log into your Eventbrite account or contact Inverloch Library 0356741169. We have limited spaces available at some of our events. If you are no longer able to attend an event you have booked a ticket for, please let us know so that others don’t miss out. Myli will notify registered attendees via email of any changes made to this event via email.

• Myli staff may photograph and/or film this event. Your image may be reproduced by Myli Community Libraries in publications and/or promotional materials (including online publications), on its website and/or on social media. If you do not wish to be photographed and/or filmed, please advise the organiser at the start of the event.

Information about Myli – My Community Libraries operates library services across the Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia and South Gippsland Shires.

Visit our website at myli.org.au

Myli Community Libraries is a child-safe organisation. Myli – My Community Library acknowledges the traditional custodians of the various lands where our services and programs take place. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.