BaRK takes bite out of nerves for young readers

Published on 28 August 2024

Canine companions are proving the paw-fect partners for primary school kids facing challenges with reading.

Lake Macquarie City Council has launched the latest instalment of its BaRK program – aimed at young people either struggling to read or who are too self-conscious or shy to read aloud.

The free program, on offer at Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari, and Belmont Library, ngarrabangba, involves trained Delta Therapy dogs accompanying kids for 15-minute reading sessions in a quiet, relaxed and safe environment.

“The assistance dog allows children to read without fear of criticism, judgement or being laughed at,” Coordinator Lifelong Learning and Engagement Kirrily Anderson said.

“Past experience has shown that this helps grow reading confidence and motivation, improves reading skills and develops reading enjoyment.”

“As their reading confidence grows, children who attend BaRK want to read more and we find they continue reading on completion of the program.”

Follow-up surveys of participants in previous years revealed added long-term benefits relating to comprehension, confidence and engagement at school, with children more willing to read in front of peers and answer questions in class.

Year 3 student Oliver Cruden is already reaping the program’s benefits after just four sessions of reading to chocolate poodle Maisie.

Dad Brett said his son was a capable reader before enlisting in the program but lacked confidence reading in front of others.

“When we read more about the program and spoke to Lake Mac Libraries staff, it sounded perfect for Oliver,” he said.

“Whilst he can read, he was hesitant to do so out loud, particularly in front of his class at school. He also dearly loved our family dog, Soobi, who we sadly lost in 2023.”

“We asked Oliver if he would read out loud to a pup and he replied: ‘You bet!’. We put our name on a wait list and were delighted to be accepted this term.”

After the first few sessions, Oliver’s teacher reported a marked improvement in his classroom reading.

“In particular, she identified he is so much more confident about reading out loud in small groups and even in front of the whole class, and that he is much more flexible with who he is partnered with in ‘fluency pairs’,” Mr Cruden said.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the BaRK program demonstrated the diversity of benefits Lake Mac Libraries delivered to the community.

“Whether it’s reading programs for kids or computer literacy sessions for seniors, our libraries provide a place to learn, to socialise and to be enriched,” she said.

This year marks the first time BaRK sessions are on offer at Sugar Valley Library Museum.

Registrations are now open. Go to library.lakemac.com.au for more information.