CT Humane Society offers 'purr-fect' way for kids to practice reading skills
This week, while many are schools are on spring break, the organization is running its “Reading to Pets” program, designed to sharpen kids’ literacy skills while they spend time with an adoptable pet.
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An animal shelter may not be the first place you think of to curl up with a good book, but at the Connecticut Humane Society, it’s a purr-fect way for kids to practice reading.
This week, while many are schools are on spring break, the organization is running its “Reading to Pets” program, designed to sharpen kids’ literacy skills while they spend time with an adoptable pet.
Six-year-old Maddie, of Westport, was among those who commanded an audience at the Wilton location on Tuesday, sharing “The Story of Ferdinand” with one cat and “The Grinch who Stole Christmas” with another.
It turns out that furry friends make excellent listeners. Usually, they sit attentively, though sometimes they may chime in. Just ask 8-year-old Max, of Wilton, who had to compete with a little barking as he read a graphic novel aloud.
“The pets are great, right? Because they don't judge when kids are practicing their reading or if they're having trouble on a word they're having a hard time pronouncing,” said Hannah Mirlis, community outreach coordinator for the Connecticut Humane Society.
Page by page, it’s a positive. And not just for the kids.
“It allows the pet to have a lot more enrichment because it changes up the pet's every day, having new people to look at and new sounds to hear,” Mirlis explained.
Dogs and cats, even guinea pigs enjoyed the tales.
“He's really excited,” said 5-year-old Violet, of Portland, who got good reviews from a guinea pig during her reading session. The pet let out a loud noise as Violet shared her Moana book.
“Sometimes they'll actually come out closer to that kennel space, and you can definitely tell they're enjoying that time,” Mirlis told News 12.
“Reading to Pets” is a limited-run program. All the sessions this week are booked up, per Mirlis, but keep an eye out on social media for more. The next will likely be over summer break.
