In a delightful initiative at the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center in California, children are teaming up with shelter animals in a unique volunteer program. Kids are visiting the center to read books to the furry residents, creating a heartwarming atmosphere that benefits everyone involved. The animals enjoy the gentle, soothing sounds of children’s voices while the kids have a chance to interact with playful dogs and cats. It’s truly a win-win situation.
Living in a shelter can be stressful for animals, even for a short period. However, when children come in after school to read or do their homework beside them, the cats and dogs start to feel more relaxed. “If they do get adopted, they won’t be mean to their owners,” shared 12-year-old Mia, a volunteer at the shelter, with BuzzFeed.
The executive director of SPARC, Lisa Johnson, emphasized the importance of this program in helping dogs acclimate to being around children, which is crucial for their chances of finding a loving home. “These animals miss their normal family environment,” Johnson explained. “When they interact with kids, it helps them feel safer and less threatened.”
This initiative isn’t just beneficial for the animals; it also supports the kids in ways they might not even recognize. Reading aloud to calm, furry companions provides a relaxed setting for children to practice their reading skills without the pressure of a classroom environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in five children struggles with reading, making this practice essential. It builds foundational skills and promotes expressive reading, as noted by the non-profit Reading Rockets.
Remember how nerve-wracking it could be to read aloud in front of classmates? Reading to animals eliminates that anxiety. “When they read to the animals, there’s no judgment,” Johnson remarked. “The animals don’t say, ‘read that again. That wasn’t right.’”
Importantly, the kids are unaware they’re enhancing their reading abilities; they’re simply thrilled to bond with the animals. “I just love spending time with the dogs,” said 8-year-old Noah.
Launched last November, the program now allows children to come in bi-weekly for reading sessions. To see the joy radiating from both the kids and the animals, check out the touching video below. For more heartwarming stories, don’t miss our other blog post here.
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In summary, this program not only provides comfort to shelter animals but also fosters empathy and reading skills among children. It’s a beautiful example of how simple acts of kindness can lead to meaningful connections.
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