Pupils read with dog's help at Redcar Community College

A school on Teesside has enlisted the help of a dog to improve the reading skills of its pupils.

Audrey, a three-year-old Italian spinone, visits Redcar Community College once a week and sits next to the children while they read aloud.

With her there, the pupils are said to be calmer and less self-conscious and their reading has improved.

Year 7 teacher Alex Howe said the dog's reassuring presence had made her pupils less stressed.

She said: "She helps the students instantly calm. They love her, they absolutely love her.

"They read and they talk to her and they'll stroke her. She's changing the mood.

"Those children have gone from not wanting to read and not wanting to be in a situation where they have to read, to eagerly wanting to read because they're reading to Audrey."

'Reduces hyperactivity'

The pupils themselves said they liked reading with Audrey in the classroom.

They said she made them more confident, able to "believe in" their ability to read and even helped them find their place if they got lost while reading, putting a paw on their leg to "tell you where you are".

Audrey is one of about 4,500 dogs registered with Pets as Therapy around the country.

The charity works with mainstream schools, special needs schools, care homes, hospices and hospitals.

Ian Instone, a pet therapy volunteer from the charity, said: "Animals, certainly working with children, can anticipate how children are feeling.

"They lower children's activity levels. If children are feeling hyperactive the dog will reduce the hyperactivity."