A local program geared towards building students' confidence and literacy skills is calling for volunteers.
The Story Dogs program currently operates at Wangaratta West Primary School (WWPS), helping students with their reading ability with hopes to expand to other local schools.
Wangaratta coordinator Noel Boyd and his dog Arlo, began volunteering at WWPS at the beginning of term two last year and have continued their work this year.
You may have seen Noel and Arlo walking down Phillipson Street just before 9am on a Thursday morning.
Noel said the program doesn't teach reading, rather it makes reading fun so children want to be involved.
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"It's always one child, one dog and one volunteer," he said.
"When children read to a dog the outcomes are amazing, they have fun, their reading skills increase and their confidence soars."
Arlo, a three-year-old Golden Labrador, has taken to the program with great enthusiasm.
Noel said as soon as he puts on Arlo's jacket, he knows he is off to school to see the kids.
"Arlo is the key to the success of the program," he said.
Noel and Arlo work with the same five students each week, individually spending about 20 minutes with each child reading to Arlo.
Wangaratta West Primary School principal Kristy Keenan said they are incredibly lucky to have Noel and Arlo working with some of their year two students.
"The time they spend with these students building their self confidence along with their reading skills and love of literacy is priceless, and it is having a enormous impact on each of them," she said.
"The Story Dogs program is a brilliant initiative, one we are proud to support and grateful to be involved with.
"I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Noel for the wonderful work he is doing at our school."
Story Dogs aims to create a safe, fun, supportive, non-judgemental environment for primary school aged children needing assistance with literacy.
"I liked reading to Arlo because I like dogs and it helped me to feel more confident about reading in front of people," WWPS student Marlee Crosher said.
"Noel was really nice too.
"I was a bit shy at first but then I got used to Noel and Arlo and I really liked seeing them every week."
The program helps more than 2890 children every week Australia-wide to become confident lifelong readers.
"I liked that I used to get to tell stories and facts to Arlo and Noel about animals," WWPS student Malakye Siharaj said.
"I really liked talking to Noel and giving Arlo treats and patting him."
Noel is calling on community members from Wangaratta and surrounds to volunteer if they are able.
"Do you have a morning free each week and have a calm, obedient and gentle dog?" he said.
"If yes please consider joining the Story Dogs team which is now found in over 400 schools around Australia."
For more information about the Story Dogs program, visit https://www.storydogs.org.au/ or contact Wangaratta coordinator Noel Boyd at admin@storydogs.org.au.
