It’s unfortunate that a lot of animal shelters are overwhelmed with the number of dogs they have, and as a result, some are put to sleep if they are not adopted within a certain timeframe. Sadly, many of these dogs are overlooked because of their timid or unfriendly personalities, which are often a result of their past experiences with cruelty, neglect, or deprivation. This makes it even more challenging for them to come out of their shells and find a forever home.

The Humane Society of Missouri has come up with an innovative initiative to socialize shelter dogs in a fun and effective way! The “Shelter Buddies Reading Program” is designed for young ones aged between 6 to 15 years old to teach these dogs by reading to them.

The initial sessions of this initiative have been fantastic. The children are engaging with the dogs, reading to them in calming tones, and building a positive relationship with them. This helps the shy dogs feel at ease and reinforces good behavior. As the dogs become more social and approachable, the children gain an understanding of the nonverbal cues that shelter dogs use to communicate. Overall, it’s a mutually beneficial program where everyone wins!

The shelter has decided to include the reading activity as a part of their yearly holiday celebrations permanently due to its success. The event, called “Deck The Howls,” allows children to create greeting cards and treats for the shelter pets they adopt. It would be great if all shelters could introduce comparable activities for their less-desirable dogs.

Observe the heartwarming connection between children and abandoned dogs at the shelter in the following footage!