Cleo instils dogged pursuit of reading

TARREMAH Steiner School’s newest student is inspiring her classmates to read more books than ever, even though she’s never picked one up herself.

Cleo, a two-year-old golden retriever, joined the school six weeks ago as a therapy dog and is having a dramatic influence on all grades.

Owner and Tarremah teacher Hayley Platts came up with the idea after seeing the children at the school interact with Cleo.

“I brought her in here a few times in the morning before daycare and the way she was interacting with the children was really positive,” she said.

Mrs Platts said Cleo was having a calming influence on all the students, from early childhood to secondary students who enjoy her company and offer her a pat.

“Children with learning difficulties and those on the autism spectrum showed particular improvement in behaviour and communication skills,” she said.

But it’s her remarkable effect on primary students and their reading ability that has Mrs Platts most excited.

“Cleo is helping to develop the students’ confidence in reading, writing, and comprehension and self-editing because the students read aloud to her,” she said.

“They’re more confident because Cleo is not judging them and they love telling her stories.”

Kim Merhulik, Tarremah’s Grade 2 teacher, said the children in her class were in- credibly eager to read to Cleo each week. “One boy even counts down the days until Cleo will come into our classroom, telling everyone that ‘tomorrow Cleo is coming to school’,” she said.

Now, Cleo is an integral part of the school and her Wednesday visits are greatly anticipated.

“Cleo helps the children of Tarremah develop the values of compassion, empathy and respect — skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,” Mrs Platts said.

Cleo is helping to develop the students’ confidence in reading, writing, and comprehension and self-editing because the students read aloud to her