The librarians at Auckland Libraries are always trying to find new ways to build reading confidence in kids.
Roka the terrier-whippet cross was recently visiting Māngere Bridge Library as part of the Reading to Dogs programme.
Children can find reading out loud to an adult quite daunting, but feel more comfortable telling a story to a canine companion. They relax and build fluency as a result.
The scheme is part of Outreach Therapy Pets, a partnership between St John and the SPCA.
Roka’s owner, Erika Soeterik, volunteers with the programme and is also on the Community Outreach Team at the Auckland Central Library.
Erika told Stuff.co.nz: “Kids being able to read is an essential life-long skill. It shouldn’t be a chore, it should be something they enjoy.”
Well done, Erika and Roka!
