by Craig Davies
The Shelter Buddies Reading Program is a project that brings children and dogs together in the most adorable way ever! The Missouri Humane Society gives kids age 6 to 15 the chance to help dogs relax and get use to a human presence. Each child sits in front of a dog’s kennel and read to them from a book. Through a 10 hour training program, the kids learn how to communicate with a dog and prepare it to be adopted by a family.
“We wanted to help our shy and fearful dog without forcing physical interaction with them to see the positive effect that could have on them. Ideally that shy and fearful dog will approach and show interest. If so, the kids reenforce that behavior by tossing them a treat,” program director Jo Klepacki told The Dodo.
