An initiative which helps children with literacy and confidence issues through reading dogs is proving popular in the Amman Valley.

Burns by Your Side, a charity scheme operated by leading natural pet food provider and Kidwelly based firm, Burns Pet Nutrition, currently operates in 50 Welsh schools across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Neath Port Talbot supported by 53 volunteers and their dogs.

The scheme involves volunteers and their trained companion dogs visiting schools to sit with children who could benefit from improved reading and communication skills. There, the child will sit and read to the dog while the volunteer always ensures the child’s and dog’s safety.

As well as dogs receiving specialist training, children involved in the scheme are taught how to handle the reading dogs appropriately, including how to greet and respect dogs and how to be safe around them. Anyone with a well-behaved dog over the age of 18 months can apply to be a Burns by Your Side volunteer but securing a Silver Kennel Club Good Citizen Award will speed up the process.

Grace Vobe, Burns by Your Side said: “It’s an incredible initiative to be part of and it’s so special knowing that my beloved Hoola is providing such joy and positive results for the children we work with.

“We both received thorough training that really outlined the process and everything that would be involved. I couldn’t recommend applying to be a Burns by Your Side volunteer enough, it really is life changing.”

The scheme is available at GCG Library and GCG Primary School and is a big hit with the children and parents.

Coordinator of GCG Library Lucy Harrison said: “Our Thursday afternoons are now buzzing with families bringing their children along to read to Zane and children are leaving the sessions with big smiles on their faces, hopefully setting a pattern of reading for enjoyment for the future.

“We at the library offer the chance for anyone in the community to pre book a session.”

Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Cae Gurwen Head Teacher Martin Evans added: “We can already see a huge difference in the confidence of our readers since Liz and Zane have been visiting the school with parents amazed that their children, who hated reading are now asking to read each evening at home.”

The 15-minute sessions are pre- bookable in GCG Library call 01269 825904 or email ylolfa.gcg@gmail.com for more information.