Kids Read To Shelter Dogs At The Humane Society of Missouri
At the Humane Society of Missouri, kids celebrated Read Across America Day, a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, by reading their favorite Dr. Seuss books to shelter animals.
The children sat down by the enclosures that were holding dogs and read the books to the animals in order to build up trust and rapport with the timid and shy shelter animals.
The Humane Society of Missouri holds the reading sessions through its Shelter Buddies Reading Program, which was designed to help shelter dogs become more adoptable. According to the shelter, having children read to the dogs comforts shy dogs and teaches them to relax around humans and calms dogs with high energy. It also helps the children develop empathy and reading skills.
According to JoEllyn Klepacki, the director of education at the Humane Society of Missouri, who was interviewed by USA Today, the shelter had dogs that were rescued from abusive situations who showed signs of distress and anxiety when visitors would pass by their enclosures. Having children read to the dogs was a calming activity that allowed for companionship without physical interaction. When the dogs responded positively to the children reading to them, the shelter decided to create the sweet program year round.
Klepacki told USA Today that the dogs seemed to particularly enjoy the Dr. Seuss books this week in honor of Read Across America Day.
Written By: Fluffy
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