A BOURNEMOUTH MP saw how Caring Canines help children who struggle to read.

Tobias Ellwood saw the Bournemouth-based charity visit Pokesdown Primary School.

Four teams from Caring Canines visited the school and each has one-on-one sessions with a child.

Co-founder Julie Lankshear said: “He was very interested and he read two or three paragraphs to Star, the fluffy white dog.

“He has been a great supporter.

“The course doesn’t just help with reading – it makes a big difference to the child’s self-esteem and confidence. We’ve never had a child be off sick when there’s a book buddy session.”

The pupil reads to the dog and does not have to worry about making mistakes.

And the dog sits next to the child and listens patiently in the knowledge that he or she will get tickled and stroked.

Each one is picked for its patient temperament and trained to hang on the child’s every word.

Mr Ellwood is a patron of the charity and the programme is called ‘Be Bookwise’. He posed for the Echo’s photos in a group but the reading sessions are held one-on-one.

Julie Lankshear said the course is shown to work by testing and re-retesting the children.

The scheme is available via schools for children up to 12 years old.

Caring Canines is holding demonstration sessions at the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday, September 29.