Jill Steel Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jill Steel —former primary school teacher, college lecturer in Early Education and Childhood Practice, and expert in literacy, wellbeing, and animal-assisted education. Jill’s lifelong love of animals, shaped by her childhood in South Africa, has strongly influenced both her personal and professional life. She shares insights from her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, which explored how Reading to Dogs can support children’s wellbeing, reduce reading anxiety, and build confidence and positive attitudes toward books.

Jill also introduces her innovative programme, Paws and Learn® (PAL)—a flexible Reading to Dogs resource designed for both online and in-person use. We discuss what the research says about the benefits and challenges of Reading to Dogs, including important considerations around ethics, safety, and animal welfare.

Tune in to hear how Jill’s work is helping to shape more inclusive and wellbeing-focused approaches to literacy in schools.

👉 Find out more at www.pawsandlearn.co.uk