Stuttering, stammering, or incomprehensibly silent. For many children, reading aloud is so nerve-wracking that they freeze from fear or stress. Reading becomes an almost impossible task for them. Because reading is nevertheless a very important skill for children in primary education, the non-profit organization therapy animal started a successful program with reading dogs.
Reading dogs
In various libraries, certified therapy dogs visit every two weeks to listen very patiently and calmly to children when they read a story aloud. “The dogs help the children overcome their fear,” says Elise, handler of reading dog Zembla. “The dog just listens. He doesn't judge, he doesn't correct, nor does he help if the reading might go a bit slowly. That is what children need. Time and trust. The rest often comes naturally.” Elise is a speech therapist, but she also took a separate training course to be able to do this with her dog. Of course, Zembla also underwent thorough training. “It's a journey that we really went through together, and that makes it all the more enjoyable. The fact that we can now work together for the non-profit organization therapy animal [Therapy Animal] gives me real fulfillment.”
Great reactions and good results
The children, and the parents as well, are very happy with the reading dogs. They are more motivated to practice and, immediately after reading, they are already looking forward to the next time. Tessenderlo is one of the municipalities where Elize and Zembla regularly visit the cultural center. Tom Rouvrois, cultural officer in Tessenderlo: “The project certainly helps children grow in their reading proficiency. We are therefore glad that Elise and Zembla are further shaping the project. Her experience with reading disabilities and development is of course a great added value. We hope that we can continue this initiative for a long time to come and perhaps even expand it.”
Suitable dog?
It goes without saying that not every dog can do this kind of work. All dogs used by Therapiedier vzw are tested, trained, and closely monitored. Staying calm under all circumstances is very important, but that is certainly not the only requirement. The chairman of the non-profit organization, Inge Pauwels, clarifies: “Every therapy animal that performs assignments for us undergoes serious training, and the owner also takes an intensive course. This is followed by a real exam, for both the handler and the animal, and only then can the duo work on behalf of the non-profit organization. We consider this quality monitoring to be very important. Naturally for the children, but also for the animal in question. Every therapy animal must enjoy the work and the attention. So I am very sure that Zembla enjoys the stories on Wednesdays just as much as the children who are happy with his listening ears.”
Interested in using one of our reading dogs? Or would you like to get started with your own dog? You can find all the information via www.therapiedier.be
