MOLLY the collie has boosted the confidence of youngsters who once found reading a bit ruff.
The six year old Welsh Red has been paying regular visits to Ysgol Llandrillo infants in Rhos on Sea to listen to youngsters tell stories aloud.
The idea is not barking mad with school staff and parents revealing the reluctant readers have come on leaps and bounds since the Pets as Therapy initiative was introduced a month ago.
Susanne Roberts, of Colwyn Bay, Molly’s owner and teaching assistant, said: “I volunteer for Pets as Therapy and Molly is one of our dogs.
“She enjoys coming into school and the children love reading to her.
“They ask every day if she’s coming in.”
The children have been reading books, including Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and the Oxford Reading Tree Magic Key series featuring Chip, Kipper and another clever canine called Floppy.
Susanne said: “She comes in at 8.30am and leaves about 10.30. She just lies there and the children sit next to her and stroke her tummy as they read.
“One child was frightened of dogs but he’s overcome that now.
“One little four year old made me laugh.
“He turned over the page and there was a cat on the picture.
“He put his hand over it to protect it and said ‘Molly, no! Dogs chase cats!’.”
Molly will carry on making special appearances at the school, helping groups of 16 children get to grips with books.
Several parents have written to the school, including Rachel Davies, mother of Jack in 2B, who said: “He couldn’t wait to get to school on Mondays so he could read to Molly. He loved how she licked his hand to show she loved his reading.”