She isn't your average classroom visitor - and her school trips are a far cry from her days on the race track.

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Isaac Torn, Arya Molloy and Connor Ansell with HettyByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Isaac Torn, Arya Molloy and Connor Ansell with HettyByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

Hillside Avenue Primary School, in Thorpe St Andrew, has recruited the help of a canine friend to encourage children to build confidence in their reading.

Hetty the greyhound has swapped racing at Great Yarmouth for regular visits to the school, where she sits and listens - and sometimes naps - as pupils read stories aloud.

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Arya Molloy, Connor Ansell and Isaac Torn with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Arya Molloy, Connor Ansell and Isaac Torn with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

She is often joined by Charlie the golden retriever, who is brought into school by a member of staff, and both the dogs have earned their Pets as Therapy badges, meaning they are safe to be in the classroom.

Liz Ireland, head of early years at the school, said it had transformed children's attitudes to reading - and had even helped one overcome a fear of dogs.

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Connor Ansell with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Connor Ansell with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

'Having the dogs there encourages more reluctant readers and supports children who could do with some extra reading practice,' she said. 'For children who are anxious about getting things wrong, it's been amazing.

'Reading to a dog, who is completely non-judgmental and can only respond with positivity, has been hugely beneficial.

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

'We have children who are quite nervous about getting things right when reading with a teacher, but are so enthusiastic when they read with the dogs.'

The new initiative at the school, Reading with Dogs, was inspired by similar schemes elsewhere around the country.

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Connor Ansell with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Connor Ansell with Hetty.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

Mrs Ireland said: 'When we first suggested this idea, one parent said they loved it, but were worried their child might be apprehensive as they'd always been quite nervous around dogs.

'Since we've had Hetty coming in that has changed, and the child actually wrote a letter saying how much they loved Hetty. It's had a huge impact on children, which we're delighted to see.'

Norwich Evening News: An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017An initiative to encourage children to read has been launched at Hillside Avenue Primary School. Hetty the greyhound visits once a week to listen to stories read by the children. Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2017 (Image: Archant 2017)

Hetty, who now lives in Sheringham with her owner, was rehomed by Homefinders, which looks after former racing greyhounds.