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A Unique Child: Inclusion - Paws for thought

Animal therapy is becoming increasingly popular in the early years. Ruth Beattie finds out why

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Doug settles down on a reading mat. Like most reading volunteers, he is patient and good at listening. Unlike most, he is furry and four-legged. Doug is a dog, and just one of a growing number of animals that are helping children boost their reading skills, confidence and well-being, even to recover from illness and trauma.

For the past six years, Doug the Pug and his owner Cate Archer have been volunteers for the Read2Dogs scheme organised by Pets As Therapy – one of various charities supported by the Kennel Club’s Bark & Read Foundation.

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