Words by Smiley Team
An animal rescue centre is showcasing it’s buddy reading programme for dogs in need of a home.
Since 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri has been dedicated to looking after animals in need of a second chance, by providing them with a safe, caring haven.
They want to make the world a better place for all living creatures. The Shelter Buddies Reading Programme was designed to help shelter dogs become more adoptable.
Reading to the dogs helps to bring comfort to and reduce the anxiety of shelter pets, and it nurtures empathy in children. After attending a training session, children between the ages of 6 and 15 are able to go - accompanied by a parent - and sit outside of the dog’s kennels, and read to the dogs.
(Meet the dogs protecting wildlife and wind turbine farms)
Participants can either bring a favourite book, or choose from an on-site library of more than 100 animal-themed stories. You can come read for as little or as long as you’d like during designated hours, available seven days a week.
While the organisation has many volunteers who walk the dogs daily, this programme is especially beneficial for shy dogs who have never known love and compassion.
It allows them to keep their personal space in their kennel but feel the attention and care from the children, with amazing results.
The Humane Society of Missouri said: “Some animals need time to warm up to humans and build trust. That is what our Shelter Buddies Reading program is all about.”
(Read more about the dogs honoured with animals’ OBE)
It’s one of the year-round learning opportunities awaiting animal advocates of all ages. The Humane Society of Missouri also has summer camps, after-school clubs and community college courses, so kids, teenagers and adults can learn how to help animals in the community.
They reach more than 25,000 children in the St Louis area and beyond through humane education programmes. Alongside the Shelter Buddies Reading programme, these include the summer Animal Adventures and Kids for Critters Camps, school year academic field trips, and service projects for Boy and Girl Scouts. They all foster attitudes of respect, responsibility and kindness, for animals and people alike.
You can find out more about the HSCM reading programme here. If you’re interested in starting a Shelter Buddies Reading Programme at your own shelter – wherever that may be – you can download HSCM's Guide for Animal Shelters and Rescues.
You can also donate to the Shelter Buddies and Humane Education programme here.
