Scout to make reading just paw-some

Published 08 December 2025

• City of Moreton Bay’s Burpengary Library has welcomed Scout the Story Dog to help children improve their literacy skills and boost their confidence
• The Story Dog program is part of a long-running partnership with literacy charity Story Dogs and is currently being offered at four libraries across City of Moreton Bay
• Story Dogs are proving a hit with families with the program often booked out weeks in advance.

A four-legged visitor is lapping up attention from Burpengary youngsters while helping them turn the page on their literacy skills.

Scout, Burpengary Library’s newest ‘Story Dog’ is setting tongues wagging with his calm and tender nature proving to be a hit amongst budding readers.

The Border Collie is part of literacy charity Story Dogs, which encourages children who are struggling with literacy or lack confidence to read aloud to a dog instead.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said he was delighted the long-running partnership between Story Dogs and Council’s libraries continued to have such a profound impact on nurturing young minds. 

“When children are able to read to a dog, the outcomes are inspirational,” he said. 

“There’s something incredibly calming about reading to a dog. They’re naturally accepting and non-judgemental and this helps children relax, focus, and build their confidence.

“It’s great to see Scout settle into Burpengary Library and I’m sure he’ll continue to be a popular pooch. I’m told the staff would all love to take him home.”

The program offers 15 to 20 minute individual reading sessions for families and is often booked weeks out in advance due to its soaring popularity.

“City of Moreton Bay Libraries are our treasured community spaces, and working with Story Dogs helps to make children feel welcome,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We encourage families to book early and book often via Council’s website, so they don’t miss out on this special experience.”

Scout’s handler Narelle Mannaert said the five-year-old was changing lives one reading session at a time.

“The parents and kids love Scout and are impressed with how well behaved and calm he is,” she said.

“He loves being patted. And for the kids who are a bit unsure about dogs, he will roll over and let them rub his tummy. He’ll even give high fives and hand shakes some times.

“At the end of each session the kids can choose a Story Dog bookmark and a Scout Sticker.”

Ms Mannaert said Scout was a regular visitor to several different places, where he was always a welcome sight.

“I always tell people Scout is from the couch potato line of Border Collies,” she said.

“Since he was a puppy, I have taken him to the local aged care facility and my brother’s disabled home.  He has also been going to school pick up since he was 12 weeks old so he is used to all the kids exiting the school in a rush when the bell goes.”

The clever canine began his Story Dogs journey in June with Narangba Valley Primary School and has fast become a star student.

“When we first started at the school, the kids would say "I can't read, you know" and I would just say ‘That's OK, neither can Scout’,” Ms Mannaert said.

“Scout does not judge a child's reading ability.  The kids love to pat Scout while they are reading - he is like a big fluffy and soft sensory tool. 

“As a team we try to make reading fun and not stressful.”

Story Dogs reading sessions are currently offered at City of Moreton Bay’s Bribie Island, Burpengary, Deception Bay and North Lakes libraries.

To book a session, head to https://moretonbay.events.mylibrary.digital/ and search ‘Story Dogs’.