The Shelter Buddies Programme Director Jo Klepacki, has come up with a brilliant idea to have children read to shy and fearful dogs at the Humane Society of Missouri.
She reckons this is a life changer for both the kids and the dogs. The children’s reading skills improve, while shy and fearful dogs stand a better chance to be adopted.
The Shelter Buddies Program is working jointly with the Humane Society of Missouri to make these valuable changes happen. “As the children read to the dogs, the shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If that happens, the kids encourage that behaviour by giving them a treat.”
“Hearing a child reading can calm those animals. It is incredible, the response we’ve seen in these dogs.” Klepacki told The Dodo.
6 -15-year-old children signed up for the Programme online since last Christmas. The ten days’ Course is now available once a month. The children get to learn the animal’s body language, whether they are in distress or anxious.
They are then encouraged to go to such a one and read to them from outside the kennel.
Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouri
The Programme is benefiting dogs with various personalities, even the most energetic, as the children’s reading voices calm them down.
Parents are encouraged to bring the children back to the Shelter anytime they want but, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult..
Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouri
‘This reading Programme does not only improve the children’s reading skills, but they are also learning about animal feelings, developing sensitivity towards them.’ Says Klepacki
It is a very calm and quiet activity.
Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouri
The kids can read the fears in the animals’ eyes and how they can help calm them down. As a result, they learn to see things through the animals’ eyes, which helps them connect better with the animals as well as human beings in their lives.
Klepacki intends to roll out the Shelter Buddies Reading Programme to other Humane Society of Missouri’s shelters in the future including the cat Sanctuaries. The most excellent benefits that have come out of this program is that many of those dogs read to, found their brand new homes.
Amazing Young Readers Showing off Their Books
The kids are welcome to bring their own books to read to the dogs or borrow animal related books from the shelter’s library.
Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouri
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