An amazing thing is happening following an innovative idea called, The Shelter Buddies Reading Program, and already it is making a huge difference to dogs at the Humane Society of Missouri. We know it is not possible to adopt every dog that needs a new home. However, these amazing children are giving up their time to read to shelter dogs to help bring them out of their shells and get them ready for a forever home.
Jo Klepacki, the program director told the Dodo, “We launched the program last Christmas, but now we offer it once a month. We wanted to help our shy and fearful dogs without forcing physical interaction with them to see the positive effect that could have on them,”
To sign up to the program the children need to be between 6 to 15 years old. During the training the children are trained on how to read a dog’s body language, so they can tell if a dog is anxious or stressed.
These amazing young children sit in front of the dogs kennel and read from a book encouraging the dog to come forward. Director Jo Klepacki said, “Ideally that shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If so, the kids reenforce that behavior by tossing them a treat. What this is also doing is to bring the animals to the front in case potential adopters come through. They are more likely to get adopted if they are approaching and interacting, rather than hiding in the back or cowering”
“Hearing a child reading can really calm those animals,” Klepacki said. “It is incredible, the response we’ve seen in these dogs.”
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