A program in Queensland is bringing dogs into the classroom to help year one students gain confidence in reading.

Story Dogs brings the new reading companions, as well as volunteers, into classrooms once a week, with the aim of improving focus, confidence and literacy skills in young children in a non-judgemental environment.

The program runs in 15 schools across Queensland and helps more than 75 students with their reading each week.

Sessions see students read aloud to the dog and its owner for 20 minutes.

Students enjoying sitting with the volunteers and the dogs that help them read. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Terri Begley )

Brisbane south coordinator Graham Mathias said the program's results had made a huge difference not only to the students involved but the school as a whole.

"We find that students who go to Story Dogs class are usually up and reading in the class within two weeks," he said.

"Some haven't read in class since they started school so it brings their confidence up as dogs don't judge."

Val Avent and her pooch Dougal visit Watson State School once a week.

"My neighbour saw an advertisement in the local paper and said 'this might suit you and Dougal," she said.

"The students are usually excited about meeting the dog and we spend time doing that and we choose a book and assess where their reading is."

Dougal, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is a favourite around the children.

"I had a good reader once that hardly noticed the dog, but Dougal invaded his space and in the end they were great mates," she said.

"He (the student) could read an encyclopedia but that gentleness [with the dog] was a good development as well."

Val said the dogs enjoyed it as much as the children.

Harry the dog sits with students at Watson Road State School. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Terri Begley )

"I can tell Dougal enjoys it. When I tell him we're off to see the students he does his circles and sits by the car," she said.

Grade one student Evelyn said it was exciting to read with a dog.

"[The first time] it was embarrassing because I was so shy but when I starting reading a lot I wasn't getting confused," she said.

"Sometimes he (the dog) closes his eyes and dreams and other times he sits down next to us.

"My reading has improved a lot - I didn't like dogs but now I do."

Watson Road State School principal Darren Ball said the program offered the students a different experience.

"With our school they are kids who don't have as much as kids in other communities in terms of the material side of life," he said.

"The program allows them to have an experience that is just for them and that can be quite rare when you don't have a lot to celebrate.

"We have had a massive focus on reading. And it's not just about the technical side of reading, but it's about the confidence and that feeling of being successful around reading."