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？

在當(dāng)?shù)毓D書館，你會發(fā)現(xiàn)一個越來越常見的特別活動：同經(jīng)過培訓(xùn)的小狗一起練習(xí)朗讀。你可以想象每周對著小狗大聲朗讀一次是什么樣的感覺嗎？

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 peoples 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.

在這個閱讀計劃里，小狗都是經(jīng)過相關(guān)特殊訓(xùn)練的。而這些訓(xùn)練員也是經(jīng)過培訓(xùn)的；訓(xùn)練員要學(xué)習(xí)如何同小狗和學(xué)生之間進行互動。當(dāng)然，每個培訓(xùn)項目都是高標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的。人們對人類與小狗之間的互相影響進行了多次研究，研究表明狗能降低人們的血壓和心率。當(dāng)小狗陪在人類身邊的時候，人類變得更加放松、鎮(zhèn)靜，會完全忘記恐懼。

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！

與在學(xué)校里學(xué)生需要端正坐在桌子旁邊不同，在這里學(xué)生和狗一起坐在一個特定的閱讀墊上面，有些學(xué)生還躺在小狗的旁邊。每個學(xué)生對著一只小狗閱讀，所以在閱覽室的閱讀聲會很小。小狗經(jīng)過訓(xùn)練會聽指令去關(guān)注讀者。所以當(dāng)訓(xùn)練員對小狗下令的時候，小狗會立即集中注意力到學(xué)生身上。但是有時候，學(xué)生讀著讀著小狗就睡著了。

The dogs 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 doesnt 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.

小狗的訓(xùn)練員也在場。在閱讀的過程中，訓(xùn)練員會確保小狗的行為舉止正常。有時候，當(dāng)小狗坐立不安時，訓(xùn)練員就會讓小狗休息一會兒。當(dāng)訓(xùn)練員不用協(xié)助閱讀時會和學(xué)生聊天，告訴他們有關(guān)狗的知識，解釋如何照顧寵物以及如何安全地和動物在一起。

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.

參加對狗閱讀的學(xué)生在互動中收獲不少。在閱讀期間，他們更為沉著冷靜，能避免因急于讀對所有單詞而焦慮。小狗只是想聽故事而已。隨著學(xué)生對各自的小狗越來越了解，他們也發(fā)現(xiàn)自己交到了一個新朋友。

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.

這個項目期間學(xué)生改變的不僅僅是閱讀習(xí)慣，他們在校的學(xué)習(xí)習(xí)慣也改變了。他們的閱讀能力提升了12%至20%。在課堂上，他們開始更多地舉手提問并回答問題，更關(guān)注課堂了。有些學(xué)生開始提早到校，曠課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.

狗不光能陪人類玩拋物銜回的游戲。如今，它們可以幫助人們成為更好的讀者。下次當(dāng)你路過當(dāng)?shù)氐膱D書館時，看一下是否有一只可愛的小狗在等著聽你讀好聽的故事聽吧！