A giant Bernese Mountain Dog and a fuzz haired Border Terrier have been helping children to read in schools across Carmarthenshire.
Layla, the laid-back Bernese Mountain Dog and Riley, an inquisitive Border Terrier, have been making young friends all over the Carmarthenshire as part of Volunteer Week, June 1-12.
During this time, Volunteering Matters launched Reading with Dogs, a partnership with Learn Together Cymru, a volunteer supported community learning project, to help improve literacy in schools across the county.
Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs are going into local schools as reading volunteers to support children with their basic skills.
Community resilience officer Susan Smith and Layla’s owner said: “We provide a relaxed and dog-friendly atmosphere, which allows children to practice their reading.
“Many, but not all, of the children chosen for this program have difficulties reading and as a result have developed self-esteem issues. They are often self-conscious when reading aloud in front of other classmates.
“By sitting down next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading.”
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