Little Girl Sits Down With A Pit Bull And Starts To Read As Part Of Special Program

There is something wonderful happening at the Humane Society of Missouri. Once a month, in the hallways of the shelter, children sit in front of the dog kennels and read stories to the homeless dogs inside. And it is making a big difference in the pets’ lives.

The dogs, whether they are timid or hyper, will oftentimes move closer to the kids, to see and listen to what they are up to.

The Shelter Buddies Reading Program is designed to help shelter dogs become more adoptable while helping children improve their reading skills by giving them a fun, non-judgmental audience to listen to them.

The shelter has found that reading to the dogs is an important socialization activity for the the animals. Dogs find the rhythmic sound of a voice very soothing and it helps fearful dogs become more comfortable with people without forcing interaction.

Not only does the reading help comfort and reduce anxiety in shelter pets, it helps nurture empathy in children and teaches them about shelter animals.

Kids between the ages of 6 and 15 can sign up for the program online. While at the shelter, they are taught how to read a dog’s body language to tell if the animal is anxious or stressed, which can benefit them in every-day encounters with dogs too!

The benefits to both the pets and the children has been wonderful.

Reading to the dogs helps shy dogs learn to relax around people and teaches high energy dogs that calm behavior is desirable. This can only help make the dogs more desirable to potential adopters.




And the children also are learning positive skills. School children participating in a similar program at Manchester Animal Shelter improved more than just their reading skills. Teachers also noted decreased school absenteeism, increased frequency in the completion of homework assignments, and improved self-confidence among their students.

The Humane Society of Missouri has held their Shelter Buddies Reading Program for two Christmases and they were such a success that they now offer it once a month.

If all goes well, the Humane Society of Missouri plans to roll out the program to all of its shelters and include reading programs to cats as well.

Share this wonderful initiative with your friends and family!