Kids Read to Comfort Shy Shelter Dogs
The Humane Society of Missouri and the Shelter Buddies Reading Program are collaborating to make a big difference in the lives of both children and animals. Due to the fact that shy and fearful dogs are less likely to be adopted, it is vital that they have opportunities to interact with other people.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI
Because of this, program director Jo Klepacki advocated that children read to the dogs as part of the group’s outreach efforts. “Ideally the shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If so, the kids reinforce that behavior by tossing them a treat,” Klepacki told The Dodo. “Hearing a child reading can really calm those animals. It is incredible, the response we’ve seen in these dogs.”
Children aged 6 to 15 have been able to enroll online for the reading program, which is now offered on a monthly basis, since the program’s launch at Christmas 2015.
A ten-hour course is then offered to them, which teaches them how to read the body language of dogs, allowing them to discern whether the animal is stressed or nervous.
Children who see a dog in his pen are encouraged to sit outside the dog’s kennel and read aloud to their furry friends. Even dogs with a lot of energy have benefited from these exercises since the voices of the youngsters have a calming effect on them. Parents are also welcome to return their children to the shelter at any time, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
The children themselves benefit from this program, but not only because it provides them with the opportunity to improve their reading abilities. “It’s encouraging children to develop empathy with animals. It’s a peaceful, quiet exercise. They’re seeing fearfulness in these animals, and seeing the positive effect they can have,” Klepacki explained. ”
It teaches children to see the world through the perspective of an animal. This allows children to establish stronger ties with the animals and people in their lives as a result of their experiences.
Klepacki hopes to expand the Shelter Buddies Reading Program in the future to include all Humane Society of Missouri shelters, as well as cat sanctuaries, in order to better serve the community.
The best part, by far, is that this strategy has already assisted in the adoption of puppies.
