School & Library Programs
Reading Tails
Our Reading Tails program is passionate about instilling a love for books in young people. We focus on boosting confidence and reducing anxiety for reluctant readers. Using Dog Assisted Education, we create a comfortable space and offer short bursts of reading, incentives, book selection, and social interactions.
Price: $3,940.52
Our Approach to Literacy
At Canine Comprehension, our literacy programs are grounded in the Science of Reading and guided by evidence-based practices proven to support all learners. We focus on explicit, systematic instruction in foundational skills – including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, while fostering a love of reading in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Our approach aligns with the Australian National Literacy Learning Progression, ensuring each child builds essential skills step by step. We use decodable texts, structured activities, and targeted support to help students connect spoken and written language, develop confidence, and experience reading success.
By integrating proven strategies and monitoring progress, we empower every student, especially those who have been let down in the past, to become capable, joyful, and lifelong readers.
8-Week Library Reading Program: Session Plan
Getting started with rights and responsibilities
Connect with the Mentor and Therapy Dog. Explore the program’s purpose and structure. Discuss everyone’s rights and responsibilities, safe participation, and the importance of respect and kindness in our reading community. Set personal reading goals and share what you hope to achieve.
Building strong foundations: Phonemic awareness & decoding
Discover how spoken words are made up of individual sounds (phonemes). Practise listening for, identifying, and playing with sounds in words. Learn how letters and sounds match (phonics) and use decodable books to practise blending sounds into words. Celebrate small wins and encourage questions.
Exploring fluency: Reading smoothly and with meaning
Focus on reading with accuracy, expression, and understanding. Practise reading aloud, re-reading favourite passages, and using punctuation to guide your voice. Discuss how fluency helps us enjoy stories and understand what we read. Support each other with positive feedback.
Vocabulary and language: Growing our word power
Explore new words in stories and talk about what they mean. Play word games with the mentor and dog and use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words. Encouraging students to ask about words they don’t know and share interesting words with the group. Connect new vocabulary to real-life experiences.
Comprehension strategies: Making sense of what we read
Develop skills to understand and remember stories. Practise asking and answering questions, predicting what might happen next, and summarising main ideas. Discuss characters, settings, and events. Use visual supports (like story maps) to deepen understanding.
Reading for purpose and pleasure: Exploring different texts
Focus on reading a variety of materials to the dog and each other: stories, information books, magazines, and eAudiobooks. Discuss why we read different things and how each text has a purpose. Share favourite genres or topics and encourage students to choose books that interest them.
Celebrating growth: Sharing successes and reflecting
Reflect on progress and celebrate achievements, big and small. Share favourite books, reading moments, and new skills learned. Encourage students to support each other and set new reading goals. Discuss how reading can help in other areas of life.
Transition and goodbyes: Next steps as a confident reader
Review the journey through the program. Discuss strategies for keeping up reading habits at home and in the community. Encouraging students to visit the library regularly, explore new books, and support their peers. Celebrate with certificates or a small group activity, and say farewell.
What people are saying about our dog therapy programs…
Canine comprehension was such a brilliant program for our students they thrived on having Cooper during the day at school as it made something to look forward to if they were having a bad morning. Samantha was brilliant !!!!! She was such a great educator and really made a point of getting to know the children which made such a beautiful impact
My daughter started sessions in 2020 when she had a massive spike in her anxiety. The canine comprehension sessions quickly became a highlight of her week and really helped reduce her anxiety. She has always loved dogs and so these sessions are perfect to help her recover from a stressful week.
Ready to book a program?
Once you have chosen the right program for you, you can book online.
Please read our FAQs and our bookings, cancellation & pricing policy before booking a school or library program.
Interested in funding options?
Our programs are approved on the Victorian Government’s School Mental Health Menu, making it easier for schools to access funding.