A Pawsitive Approach to Literacy is Helping Pupils Find Their Reading Voice!
At Swanmore College, we are always exploring thoughtful and evidence-informed ways to support pupils’ literacy, confidence and wellbeing. Recently, we have been delighted to welcome a very special visitor into the Reading Room...
Introducing Wednesday, our calm and caring Reading Room companion
Meet Wednesday! This very special addition to our Reading Room staff joins us at the College every Tuesday and Wednesday, and she has already become a much-loved member of our community. We are also hopeful that her friend, Sammy, might be able to visit on the remaining days of the week very soon.
During Year 7 and 8 Reading Enrichment lessons, our pupils have been invited to take turns sitting on the cushions and reading alongside Wednesday. When asked if they would like to read with her, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with most saying a big "yes!".
Wednesday’s calm, supportive presence helps create a welcoming environment where reading feels relaxed, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone – an inclusive environment where we hope everyone can thrive.
Sit, Stay, Read: The Science Behind Reading with Dogs
Research into canine-supported reading programmes has shown some real benefits for young readers. By combining this research with our own recent observations in the Reading Room, we have identified ten key ways this initiative is supporting our pupils:
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The presence of a calm dog has a soothing effect. Interacting with a dog can lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and release oxytocin, promoting a sense of well-being and making the reading experience less intimidating. We have already noticed how Wednesday's presence has helped our pupils feel much more relaxed while they read.
-
Increases Confidence in Reading: Dogs are non-judgmental, patient listeners. For pupils who struggle with reading or are self-conscious about their skills, reading aloud to a dog eliminates the fear of making a mistake, allowing them to practice in a supportive, pressure-free environment. Pupils have been reading to Wednesday with lots of great expression, while keeping their voices calm and controlled — something that can be difficult for those who usually feel self-conscious.
-
Improves Reading Fluency and Comprehension: With reduced anxiety, pupils can focus more on the mechanics of reading, including pace, intonation, and decoding. Regular practice with a dog helps solidify these skills and allows them to concentrate on understanding the text. We can't wait to see what our pupils can achieve with the consistent support of Wednesday and Sammy!
-
Boosts Motivation and Engagement: The opportunity to interact with an animal is a powerful incentive. The novelty and enjoyment of the experience can make reading feel less like a chore and more like a fun, anticipated activity, especially for pupils who are still building confidence with reading. We were thrilled to see one of our very reluctant readers engage so positively with reading a book recently because Wednesday was there to listen!
-
Develops Empathy and Social Skills: Interacting with a therapy dog requires the pupils to be mindful of the animal's needs — using a calm voice, gentle movements, and respecting its space. This practice helps build empathy, patience, and non-verbal communication skills. All of our pupils so far have displayed a great deal of gentleness and kindness with Wednesday.
-
Enhances Emotional Regulation: For secondary pupils, managing emotions can be challenging. The simple, reciprocal interaction of petting a dog while reading can be grounding and provides a positive, controlled emotional outlet. While some pupils prefer to read at a distance, others have found stroking Wednesday while they read makes them feel increasingly relaxed.
-
Offers a Sense of Responsibility: Pupils often take pride in the routine of reading to a dog, fostering a small sense of responsibility for the dog's well-being and the success of the reading session. They have done a wonderful job looking after Wednesday so far, taking responsibility for holding her lead and making sure she stays safe and settled in the room.
-
Creates a Safe Space for Learning: The Reading Room is an informal, comfortable setting, distinct from a traditional classroom. This safe and predictable environment encourages pupils to take risks with unfamiliar words and persevere through difficult passages. Pupils already respond well to being in the Reading Room, and including Wednesday is an additional incentive that makes the atmosphere feel even more welcoming and relaxed.
-
Provides a Calming Experience for SEND Pupils: For pupils with learning difficulties, the predictable, sensory experience of reading to a dog can be extremely calming, helping them to regulate sensory input and focus on the task. We have already seen pupils who receive extra support working beautifully and staying focused during these sessions, and we hope that continued visits from Wednesday and Sammy will hopefully create even more positive outcomes for our SEND pupils.
-
Improves School Attendance and Attitudes: Programmes featuring therapy dogs can increase the overall appeal of school for some pupils. Having a positive, unique activity to look forward to can improve their general attitude towards school and, consequently, their attendance. Much like our popular enrichment activities on Wednesday (the day!), we hope the chance to read with Wednesday (the dog!) provides an extra incentive for less-engaged pupils to feel more positive about coming to the College and engaging with school life.
Initiatives like this remind us how small, thoughtful moments can make a meaningful difference to pupils’ confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging at school. We are so proud of our "can-do" attitude at the College and our commitment to looking after the whole child. We look forward to seeing how Wednesday and Sammy can continue to help our pupils reach their potential and thrive.