受过训练的小狗陪你阅读

Go to your local public library， and you will find an unusual activity is appearing more and more： Practicing reading with trained dogs. How would you feel about taking time once a week to read aloud to a dog？

在当地公立图书馆，你会发现一个越来越常见的特别活动：同经过培训的小狗一起练习朗读。你可以想象每周对着小狗大声朗读一次是什么样的感觉吗？

Each dog in a reading program experiences a special training. The trainers also receive training； they learn how to interact1 with the students and the dogs. Each program has high standards. There have been many studies of the interactions between humans and dogs that show dogs lower people’s blood pressure and heart rate. People become more relaxed and calm and will completely2 forget what they are scared3 of when they have a dog nearby.

在这个阅读计划里，小狗都是经过相关特殊训练的。而这些训练员也是经过培训的；训练员要学习如何同小狗和学生之间进行互动。当然，每个培训项目都是高标准的。人们对人类与小狗之间的互相影响进行了多次研究，研究表明狗能降低人们的血压和心率。当小狗陪在人类身边的时候，人类变得更加放松、镇静，会完全忘记恐惧。

Unlike at school， where students sit at desks or tables， students and dogs sit together on special reading mats. Some students lie next to the dogs. Each student reads to one dog， so it is not loud in the room. The dog has been taught a command4 to pay attention to the reader. So when the trainer says something to the dog， it focuses5 on the student at once. But sometimes， the students read the dogs to sleep！

与在学校里学生需要端正坐在桌子旁边不同，在这里学生和狗一起坐在一个特定的阅读垫上面，有些学生还躺在小狗的旁边。每个学生对着一只小狗阅读，所以在阅览室的阅读声会很小。小狗经过训练会听指令去关注读者。所以当训练员对小狗下令的时候，小狗会立即集中注意力到学生身上。但是有时候，学生读着读着小狗就睡着了。

The dog’s trainer is also present. He or she watches the dog carefully to make sure that the dog behaves. Sometimes， the trainer gives the dog a break when the dog becomes restless6. While the trainer doesn’t help with the reading， the trainer talks to the student about the dog and explains how to take care of pets and how to be safe around animals.

小狗的训练员也在场。在阅读的过程中，训练员会确保小狗的行为举止正常。有时候，当小狗坐立不安时，训练员就会让小狗休息一会儿。当训练员不用协助阅读时会和学生聊天，告诉他们有关狗的知识，解释如何照顾宠物以及如何安全地和动物在一起。

Students who read to dogs show the benefits7 of this interaction. They are calmer and can avoid worrying about getting all the words correct. The dog just wants to hear the story. As students learn more about the dogs they read to， they also learn that they have got a new friend.

参加对狗阅读的学生在互动中收获不少。在阅读期间，他们更为沉着冷静，能避免因急于读对所有单词而焦虑。小狗只是想听故事而已。随着学生对各自的小狗越来越了解，他们也发现自己交到了一个新朋友。

Not only do students change their reading habits with the dogs during the program， but they also change their school habits. Their reading skills increase by twelve to twenty percent. They start raising their hands and answering questions more often. They pay more attention in class. Some students start arriving at school earlier and are absent8 less often.

@个项目期间学生改变的不仅仅是阅读习惯，他们在校的学习习惯也改变了。他们的阅读能力提升了12%至20%。在课堂上，他们开始更多地举手提问并回答问题，更关注课堂了。有些学生开始提早到校，旷课的比例相比以前也降低了。

Dogs are not just for playing fetch9 with anymore. Now they can help people become better readers. Next time you visit your local library， be on the lookout for fourlegged creatures10 who want to hear a good story.

狗不光能陪人类玩抛物衔回的游戏。如今，它们可以帮助人们成为更好的读者。下次当你路过当地的图书馆时，看一下是否有一只可爱的小狗在等着听你读好听的故事听吧！