The Finnish Kennel Club’s first course in reading dog activities was held on 25th and 26th of February in sunny weather in Mikkeli, a town in southeast Finland. During the weekend, 20 dogs were awarded with a reading dog uniform, the yellow reading dog scarf. Reading dog activities promote reading and literacy. The activities are mainly meant for children to support their reading skills and to encourage them to read more.

The course consisted of theory in reading dog activities, as well as an aptitude assessment of future reading dogs.  Reading dogs trained by the Finnish Kennel Club are recognized from their yellow scarf.

The Mikkeli City Library launched a project in 2015 with the aim to make it easier for libraries and dog owners to commence in reading dog activities as well as to clarify and standardize the activities. A quality recommendation was drawn up within the project with the intention of making it easier for libraries to start working with reading dogs.

The Finnish Kennel Club takes part in the project by arranging aptitude assessments for dogs and education for their handlers. The first courses in reading dog activities are held in 2017 in various parts of Finland. The same basic-level education is arranged for everyone taking part in the activities. The next course in reading dog activities is held in April in Western Finland, in the city of Seinäjoki.

For more information
The Finnish Kennel Club
Sanna Pirinen
sanna.pirinen@kennelliitto.fi
(09) 8873 0204

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