Reading to relax your pooch really isn’t a shaggy-dog story
Does your dog enjoy a good story? Freya Chipperfield’s do.
The seven-year-old reads to the family dogs. Mum Lynne says: ‘she even caters to the preferences of individuals. Jessie the cockapoo carries a stuffed owl around, so Freya reads her a story about an owl. German shepherd Darby prefers adventure stories.’
Freya, who was born profoundly deaf, doesn’t read just to help herself. Lynne, who runs her own business as a franchisee with pet care company Barking Mad, says: ‘I think she often reads to the dogs to play at being “teacher” and because she enjoys reading aloud. It also seems to relax many dogs.’
Lynne, a former NHs technology programme manager who started the business in April this year, says: ‘Freya has taken on the informal role of head of marketing. Whenever she sees anyone out walking their dog, she gives them a leaflet about our dog-sitting services.’
Barking Mad founder Lee Dancy says: ‘The benefits of reading aloud to animals for children with reduced hearing has long been of interest worldwide. Washington school of Medicine researcher Jacklyn Litzinger says research suggests that reading to dogs greatly improves children’s reading attitudes, comprehension and fluency.’
Mrs Dancy adds: ‘We are looking for more passionate dog lovers as franchisees, who want to change the face of dog care across the UK.’ The franchise costs £13,950.
Franchisees with Pets, Homes And Gardens could be dog walking, visiting and feeding cats, boarding small animals or homesitting. Franchise co-founder Peter Maxted says: ‘For our franchisees, having their own pets is a benefit as we offer dog day-creches, where customer’s dogs can socialise with them, and demand for this is high.’
The franchise costs £995.