Larry the book dog visits King's Park Infant School Dereham

Pupils at King's Park Infant School are welcoming Larry once a week as part of Therapy Dogs Nationwide's new paws and read programme.

The Yorkshire terrier cross miniature poodle, aged six, has been supporting people in Norfolk for the last eight months by visiting care homes, day centres and a hospital.

Children at the King's Park Infant School in Dereham read to therapy dog Larry. From left, front, Rex, six, and Ezra, five. Back, Elani, five; Zakariya, five; and Scarlett, six (Image: Denise Bradley)

Now he is set to help children at the school become bookworms by reading to him.

Larry’s owner, Brenda Finney, has a grandson who attends King's Park Infant School.

He had told the school that Larry was a therapy dog, volunteering with Therapy Dogs Nationwide, leading to the adorable pooch starting his regular visits.

Therapy dog Larry, aged six, listens to Rex, left aged six; and Elani, five, read at the King's Park Infant School in Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)

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Laura Finney, one of the school’s governors, said: “The benefits to the children are amazing. To relieve the pressure that some children feel when reading to another person allows their confidence and self-esteem to flourish.

“After Larry’s first day, one of the children said ‘Can Larry come in every day to help us read’.”

Five-year-old Ezra reads to therapy dog Larry, aged six, at the King's Park Infant School in Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)

Research on Therapy Dogs Nationwide’s website suggests children can be nervous and uncomfortable when reading aloud in a classroom environment, especially those who are struggling. 

The paws and read programme allows these children to read to a therapy dog, as they are "non-judgemental, attentive and perfect listeners".

Therapy dog Larry listens to children reading at the King's Park Infant School in Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)

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Mark Cuenca-Farrow, acting executive headteacher, added: “At King's Park Infant School we are acutely aware of the constant need to develop children's self-confidence and emotional support.

The sticker the children get after reading to therapy dog Larry at the King's Park Infant School in Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)

“We have invited Larry to our school to enable children to experience a different form of learning.

"Larry gives children the opportunity to talk, read and share their feelings without the need to share with an adult, although there is always one present.

“The purpose is to recognise that we all learn differently and that for some children, adults are not always the most effective method to communicate with.”