About Bark and Read
Bark and Read helps dogs to help children develop a passion for reading. It was set up to support and promote the amazing work of charities tackling the UK's literacy problems by taking dogs into schools as reading volunteers.
Funded by The Kennel Club Educational Trust, Bark and Read is working with charities, social enterprises and individuals in schools and libraries around the UK, helping children to read with their specially-trained support dogs.
Did you know that dogs love books too?
Reading to dogs helps children develop their reading skills, encourages positive behaviour and helps build confidence and self esteem. Reading to dogs inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading. All over the country, children are learning to love reading with the support of these amazing doggy companions.
You can read some of their testimonials below.
Why do we run Bark and Read?
Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the presence of dogs has on children and due to the fact that the dog will listen to the children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children's enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence needed to read aloud.
When children are trying to read in a room with dogs, they become less stressed, less self conscious and more confident. If children are partnered with a dog to read to, the dog provides comfort, encourages positive social behaviour, enhances self-esteem, motivates speech and inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading.
Get involved
If you would like a Bark and Read sponsored dogs to visit your school or library, or if you have a dog that you think might be suitable as a reading volunteer please contact our Bark & Read partners:
Nationwide
England & Wales only
Wales only
Scotland only
Surrey
For press enquiries, more information about how Bark & Read works or to donate to Bark & Read, contact Ciara Farrell on 020 7518 1009 or send an email.
Who runs Bark and Read?
The Kennel Club Educational Trust
The Kennel Club Educational Trust is a dedicated dog charity which looks after the health and welfare of all dogs by funding a wide variety of work ranging from supporting research into canine diseases, dog welfare organisations and the promotion of support dogs.
Learn more about The Kennel Club Educational Trust and the work they do.