Kids Read to Animals

Humane Society animals are getting their paws on some good stories this summer in Gulfport.
Children are reading books to cats and dogs at the Humane Society of South Mississippi during a six week summer reading program.
The Humane Society put the program together to give kids the chance to exercise their reading skills and for the animals to get used to human interaction.
Participants tell News 25 why they think reading to the animals is a great idea. Allie Ball, a student enrolled in the summer reading program, said, “For the dogs to get a feeling for the people so when they get adopted they will get used to the people. “
Jen Guthrie, a teacher at Pass Road Elementary, said, “It’s awesome to watch because when you start they might be a little intense, barking, they may be a little crazy. As you start reading to them, they kind of calm down and they lay down and you can tell by the end of it that it really benefited them as well.”
The Humane Society tells News 25 the reading helps reduce the animals’ stress levels and gives them a better shot of being a successful pet if they’re adopted into a home.
The summer reading program is already full. The Humane Society says they are hoping to make this program an annual event.
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