Children Read To Shelter Dogs To Calm Down Them, But Also Improve Their Reading

The Shelter Buddies Reading Program, which is organised by the Humane Society of Missouri, pairs children between 6 and 15 years of age with traumatised or shy dogs to help them get used to having people around.

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Some time ago, we wrote about kids who read to shelter cats, and now there's a similar campaign for dogs! At this Missouri Humane Society, the Shelter Buddies Reading Program pairs kids age 6 to 15 with fearful dogs to prepare them for life in a forever home. After completing a 10 hour training program, the kids sit in front of a she dog's kennel and read to them from a book.

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"We wanted to help our shy and fearful dog without forcing physical interaction with them to see the positive effect that could have on them," program director Jo Klepacki told The Dodo. "Ideally that shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If so, the kids reenforce that behavior by tossing them a treat."

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Now, this isn't just some wishy-washy volunteering exercise; the kids train for 10 hours before they're actually assigned a dog to read to and the results are amazing! Oh and the kids get something out of it too… practice.

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"We wanted to help our shy and fearful dog without forcing physical interaction with them to see the positive effect that could have on them," program director Jo Klepacki.

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"Ideally that shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If so, the kids reenforce that behavior by tossing them a treat."

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"Hearing a child reading can really calm those animals. It is incredible, the response we've seen in these dogs." The charity wants to extend the program to all of its shelters in the US so that hundred of dogs (and cats too) will benefit from the idea.