Greyhound Scotts with Tony Nevett and child
Shy children will read to retired racing greyhounds instead of teachers as part of a new literacy project at UK schools.
Greyhound Scotts with Tony Nevett and child
Dog-eared books: Children can practice their skills with retired greyhounds
Young pupils who are reluctant to read in front of their classmates will be encouraged to practice in front of dogs selected by the Retired Greyhound Trust.
The idea - which will also help children with learning difficulties - has been welcomed by the The National Literacy Trust, the National Autistic Society and educational psychologists.
READ - Reading Education Assistance Dogs - is a big success in America where there are now 1,400 dogs visiting schools.
One of the first dogs to take part in the UK will be retired greyhound Batman and owner Kelly Bakewell, who make their debut at Oakway Infant School in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, on Friday.
Greyhound Scotts with children
Scotts listens intently
Another, Scotts, is booked to visit a string of schools in the coming months with owner Tony Nevett.
The project is aimed at children aged between four and seven at both mainstream and special needs schools.
Nevett, who has worked with the Retired Greyhound Trust, for several years, said: "Many children find it a struggle to read and it really knocks their confidence if they stumble over words in front of their mates.
"The idea of reading to dogs is that they don?t answer back and they don?t give you a hard time if you don?t get it right first time."
He continued: "Greyhounds are extremely docile dogs. They are couch potatoes who get on well with children and like nothing better than to sit around getting fussed."
This is about confidence. Sometimes children can relate very well to animals in ways they don't relate to adults.
Charles Ward, educational psychologist
Richard Mills, research director at the National Autistic Society, said dogs could help autistic children overcome social barriers.
But he said that each child needed to be assessed individually and care needed to be taken to ensure children were not scared by the pets.
Judith Parke, project director at the National Literacy Trust, said: "Starting with what children love, whether that is music, football or dogs, can really help to engage children with reading.
"For children who don't enjoy reading or find it difficult, turning the reading experience into a relaxed and memorable opportunity to practice their skills could be a powerful tool."
Charles Ward, an educational psychologist and General Secretary of Association Of Educational Psychologists, said: "This is about confidence. Sometimes children can relate very well to animals in ways they don't relate to adults."
The Retired Greyhound Trust, which has found homes for more than 45,000 dogs since it was set up in 1975, is now looking for more owners to take part in the project.
Around 9,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year.
For further information on taking on a retired greyhound as a pet or supporting the charity, contact the national office on 0844 826 8424.