Facebook | Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter

Animal Shelter Overwhelmed After Inviting Kids To Come Read To Pets

An animal shelter in Michigan says it received an "overwhelming response" from the community after inviting kids to read to the dogs and cats in its care as part of the READing Paws program.

Research has shown that reading to shelter pets can be wonderfully therapeutic.

Facebook | READing Paws

It's a classic win-win scenario for kids and pets alike. Kids get to practice their literacy skills, while the soothing, quiet attention can have a significant calming effect on the pets.

So, Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter put out a call for young readers between the ages of 6 and 16 to come read to their pets.

Facebook | Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter

"The shelter environment can be overwhelming for many pets, we have found reading to our residents reduces anxiety and creates a calming environment," they wrote in a Facebook post asking for readers to come out.

As part of the call to action, they had also requested some books for kids who want to come out.

Facebook | READing Paws

Of course, kids are also welcome to bring their own favorites to read to the doggies and the kitties. They just have to have a parent or guardian along with them.

Turns out, the shelter needs to find a way to accommodate a whole bunch of little readers who want to help out.

Facebook | Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter

The 45-minute slots filled up fast — kids just want to read to pets!

Updating their post, the shelter wrote that "Due to an overwhelming response of interest to our program we will be hoping to announce future dates soon."

Facebook | READing Paws

Here's hoping all the readers and animals in need find time for each other!

Plenty of people have stepped up for the shelter in other ways.

Facebook | READing Paws

As the post spread on Facebook, offers of books came in, and teachers and groups like Girl Scouts troops expressed interest in bringing their charges in to read with the animals as well.

Now, the bad news if you're in the area is that you might have to wait a while to get a turn reading to the residents.

Facebook | READing Paws

But the good news is that READing Paws, which has a stated mission of helping young readers develop their literacy skills with the assistance of therapy animals, has groups and events all over the country.

I wonder if anywhere does likewise for grown-ups who just want to read to dogs?

h/t: WLIX

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