Story Dogs help children read

Summary

The Story Dogs program in Australia uses trained dogs like Erik the Brave and his brother Sidney Swain, a Brussels Griffon, to help children improve their reading skills in a supportive and comforting environment.

Abstract

The article introduces Sidney Swain, a Brussels Griffon puppy, and his brother Erik the Brave, who are part of the Story Dogs program in Australia. This program involves dogs trained to listen to children read, providing a calming presence that helps put kids at ease and encourages them to learn. The author expresses a personal connection with Sidney and emphasizes the therapeutic value of interacting with these animals. The Story Dogs program is seeking sponsors to support the training and care of these dogs, with sponsors' names appearing on the dogs' jackets. The article also warns against unethical breeding practices and encourages potential dog owners to conduct thorough research when considering a Brussels Griffon, a breed that the author finds fascinating and has grown fond of after meeting Erik and Sidney.

Opinions

The author finds the Story Dogs program beneficial for children's reading development and personally finds interacting with the dogs therapeutic.
Erik the Brave is praised for his bravery and dedication to his role despite his small size.
The author is enamored with Sidney Swain, describing him as a special and amazing puppy.
There is a call to action for sponsors to support the program and for ethical considerations when acquiring a pet, particularly a Brussels Griffon.
The author suggests that animals, including dogs like Erik and Sidney, possess a spirit akin to that of human beings and should be treated with respect and care.
The author has a strong affinity for animals and is considering adopting a dog, possibly a black Brussels Griffon, in memory of their beloved cat, Shandy.

Story Dogs help children read

Me with Sid

I count myself very lucky, being someone who respects all animals, and meeting the cutest special little pup ever this week!

Introducing Sidney Swain (or Sidney for short), a gorgeous soft cuddly beautiful amazing Brussels Griffon puppy. Sidney is the younger brother of the wonderful handsome, sweet and adorable Erik the Brave.

Erik the Brave is in the Story Dogs program of Australia and is trained to sit quietly with a school-child in a supervised reading environment, and listen to and help the child to read. Some kids are put at ease and are happy to learn to read, with a friendly and loyal dog around. Who wouldn’t be?

When it was mentioned that Erik’s job was “pet therapy” I said, “Can they stay here, I need pet therapy.” Well, I fell in love with Sid, and I think he quite liked me, giving me “kisses” or licks when first he was kindly put on my chest for me to smooch, and I put my face next to him.

For more information about the Story Dogs Programme, please click on the link below.

Sponsors are being sought for all sorts of book-worm dogs, to help with their training and with supplies and insurance, so if you know someone with money to spend on a very worth-while cause, consider asking them to sponsor a special dog. Their name will appear on the dog’s jacket! Howzat.

Not all Story Dogs are Brussels Griffons. There are all sorts of shapes and colors in the Story Dogs program, and I would be happy to meet every one of them. Sam and Erik are members of the Melville W.A. team. Erik the Brave has his own Facebook page, which he kindly shares with Sidney Swain.

I know what it’s like being small, and Erik is brave as he is really small but that does not faze him in the slightest in the pursuit of his bookly duties.

Sometimes I dog-sit a Cairn Terrier and now that our beloved Shandy cat has passed away, we are considering having a dog ….. at some time — maybe a black Brussels Griffon, a breed that I had never heard of before meeting Erik and Sidney. They are not common and if you are thinking about being owned by one, please be careful and buy from a reputable breeder or seller.

Sadly there are unscrupulous people out there, who do the wrong thing, at the expense of some animals having health problems. Do your research about whether you want a Brussels Griffon (some say Erik has the face of a Gremlin, but I would never say that).

Whatever you do, please think of animals as beings with a spirit, just like human beings (who of course are part of the Animal kingdom). Thank you!

Originally published at facinatingamazinganimals.com on December 21, 2018.