11-year-old reads to shelter dogs and cats to help them feel calmer
An 11-year-old boy in Florida has become the first child to complete 100 hours of reading to shelter animals through the Jacksonville Humane Society's program. The initiative aims to help animals feel calmer while improving the reading skills of participating children.
Why it matters
This highlights the positive impact of community-based volunteer programs on both animal welfare and child development.
An 11-year-old boy in Florida has completed more than 100 hours of reading to rescue animals at a local shelter, becoming the first child to achieve the milestone through the Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading programme.Nehemiah Turner started volunteering at the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) in 2024. For the past two years, he has spent time reading books to dogs and cats waiting for adoption. With support from his grandmother, Nehemiah continued his visits until he completed his goal of 100 hours.According to People's magazine, the young volunteer enjoys spending time with the animals and hopes his reading helps them feel calmer while they wait for new homes.The Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading programme allows children to visit the shelter and read aloud to pets.
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