Therapy Dog Reading

We have seen an improvement in our pupils’ reading ability and confidence thanks to Opal.

Labrador Opal visits Frodsham every week, along with owner Suzie Dickens, to listen to our children read.

Over the last 18 months, the Read2Dogs initiative from charity Pets As Therapy has been rolled out in local communities in the North West thanks to a three-year grant from Pets at Home’s charity the Pets Foundation – with Frodsham being one of the many schools in the area to benefit.

Each week, pupils are invited to read aloud to therapy dog Opal, and owner Suzie Dickens, providing a calm reading experience. It has been particularly effective at supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping to improve their literacy skills, confidence and concentration in the classroom.

Rachael Charterey, parent to Louis (age eight), said: “As a parent there is nothing better than seeing your child develop a newfound love for books and reading.

"Opal’s weekly visits are the highlight of Louis’ week – I’ve loved watching his reading skills grow and the confidence they now have when it comes to reading out loud and in front of other people. I always know when Opal has been to school as Louis jumps through the door in excitement and cannot wait to tell me which parts of the story Opal liked best that day.”

And Jen Whittle, parent to eight-year-old Izzy, said: “When reading at home with Izzy, it was always a difficult task as she complained it was too hard and she was not enthusiastic.

"Since starting with Opal, she has been extremely engaged in her reading and become more confident. For example, at a recent school event, in front of a room full of parents, she read out a poem that she’d worked on that day, and that was an extremely proud moment.”