The role of reading canines in CARing Kids is to enable students to connect with dogs, so that they may relax physically and psychologically, which can help them focus on the programme and increase their interest in reading and learning about the planned materials. Our reading canines are meticulously selected and accompanied by our handlers. But dogs are like people – they may feel stressed due to different reasons. Our handlers will try their best to manage the stress of our dogs. In addition, teachers may also observe the behaviour of our canines and use real-life examples to cultivate students’ empathy, enabling the canines to happily interact with students.

 

If a canine starts to feel stressed or uncomfortable, they display behaviours which are known as “calming signals”. Dogs use these behaviours to calm themselves down (pretty much like people drinking water when nervous) and to increase their sense of security. Calming signals are a way through which canines convey their emotions to you and obtain your attention. We must give time to canines to adapt to their new environments and people, so that their stress will not persist or escalate.

 

Calming signals usually include: