Do you know about “Reading Service Dogs”?
It is said that it enriches the time spent with children as they read books to them.
What kind of dogs are they?
We interviewed a school that trains reading service dogs to take a look at their training and activities.
Dogs that encourage reading
This is a picture book reading event held at a community center in Nanae Town, Hokkaido.
Dogs known as reading service dogs stand next to children as they listen to reading stories.
Reading service dogs are an initiative that began in the United States in 1999.
▽If your child is interested in the dog and comes to your dog’s side, even easily distracted children will be able to stay where they are.
▽Children can stay calm and concentrate on reading for long periods of time by imitating dogs that stay still.
▽Even if your child is reluctant to read aloud in front of others due to his/her loud noises, a reading service dog that calmly accompanies him or her can be used as a practice companion.
These effects are expected.
At first glance, it looks like the dogs are just sitting still, but they are actually undergoing rigorous training.
A school in Nanae town that raises reading service dogs
Approximately 250 dogs from ordinary households attend the dog school in Nanae Town every month.
The school is run by a couple, Taiki and Chihiro Kato, who are both trainers.
His wife, Tomohiro, originally worked as a nurse.
He also had contact with therapy dogs* in the medical field, and the interaction between animals and people he saw there led him to start training reading service dogs.
*Therapy dog: A dog that is said to be effective in helping with mental care and rehabilitation by interacting with patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities.
T.K DOGSCHOOL Vice Representative Tomohiro Kato
“It takes a very long time for nurses to open up the hearts of patients.However, when the dogs interact with patients, I see them immediately open up and smile,” and I realized the power that animals have.” I felt that it was infinite.”
Dogs that attend lessons and are judged to have calm personalities and are able to follow their owners’ commands are trained as reading service dogs.
In order to be safe even when dealing with many unknown children, we carry out unique training.
For example, “training the dog to wait without jumping even when playful children call for the dog with loud voices and gestures,” and “training the dog to remain calm even when strangers touch all parts of its body.”
We also train children to get used to canes and wheelchairs so that they are not surprised when they see them.
It takes about one to two years to raise one dog, and so far 13 dogs have become reading service dogs at the school, and they continue to play an active role.
I want to read books to my dog!
One day, the reading service dogs visited an after-school day care facility in Hokuto City.
There are children enrolled in support classes.
One of them, Ran Kimura, a fifth grader, was looking forward to meeting the reading service dog.
When the reading session started and the dogs arrived, I couldn’t help but move away, probably because I was a little scared.
Still, the dog doesn’t force himself to approach Ran-san, and gently accepts Ran-san, who timidly pats him on the head.
As the reading pictures were nearing the end, Soran started moving.
He had brought a picture book of his own to read to the dogs.
Although Ran is not good at speaking, I read one picture book for each of them.
The dogs who acted as listeners listened to Ran read aloud in a meek, “down” position.
Ran Kimura
(Did you read it well?) Yes! Thank you very much!
Like Ran, it seems that there are many children who come to enjoy spending time with books more because of the presence of dogs.
Reading service dogs are expanding the possibilities of children.
