How Paws Are Helping Turn Pages 

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Written By Sheree Hoddinett
Home » Stories » How Paws Are Helping Turn Pages 
How Paws Are Helping Turn Pages 

A wagging tail and a listening ear are helping children across the City of Moreton Bay fall in love with reading.  

For the past six years, City of Moreton Bay libraries has partnered with Story Dogs, a heart-warming program that pairs children with gentle, trained dogs who listen as they read aloud. What might seem like a simple idea has transformed the reading experience for countless local kids. 

“With their calm and loving nature, dogs provide a supportive environment that helps children relax, improve their literacy skills and boost confidence,” a City of Moreton Bay spokesperson said. “The response from the public has been exceptional, with many families praising the non-judgmental setting and how it makes reading fun for their children.  

“One parent said their daughter cried ‘tears of joy’ at bedtime after participating in Story Dogs because the dog was ‘so calm and kind, and I feel safe with her’.” 

Find Story Dogs at Moreton Bay Libraries

Story Dogs currently runs at five of City of Moreton Bay’s libraries, including Burpengary, Caboolture, Deception Bay, North Lakes and Bribie Island. Upcoming dates at Burpengary Library include 4 December, 19 December and 15 January.   

Book your places here.

Be a Story Dogs Volunteer.

Story Dogs – Burpengary 

  • First and third Thursday of each month, 4pm-5.30pm 
  • Burpengary Library  
  • 121 Station Road, Burpengary

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Written By Sheree Hoddinett

Sheree Hoddinett has been writing for community papers and magazines across the City of Moreton Bay area since 2009. Being able to share someone else’s story is a big part of why she became a journalist in the first place. Her biggest passion lies in feature writing, but the diverse nature of the written word has also allowed her to spread her wings and share her writing skills through other avenues including blogging and even tackling some editing as well. When not tapping away at her keyboard (it does happen!), she is usually spending time with her family out and about, building Lego or puzzles, checking out a good show or even a book. She is always on the lookout for her next story adventure.

Read more articles by Sheree Hoddinett

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In the spirit of reconciliation, the Caboolture Guide acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.