It’s already depressing that such places as slaughter animal shelters exist. But, as moneysavingbasics points out, discovering that many shelter pups are lonely and afraid, frequently living in tiny prisons for months at a time, is heartbreaking.
There is, however, a remedy. Shelter Buddies, a Missouri-based initiative, addresses not one, but two prevalent issues: 1) lonely shelter canines in need of social interaction, and 2) students with reading difficulties who require additional practice. Shelter Buddies is a program that encourages youngsters to improve their literacy abilities by reading to a shelter dog. Children get to practice reading aloud in a smooth, confident voice and taking their time pronouncing each word as they go through the process. The puppies are only there to listen without passing judgment.
Reading aloud allows the youngsters to link a good engagement with reading while also increasing their confidence in their present literacy skills. Because of the major contrasts between reading to a human and reading to a dog, the latter occurs. Dogs are more patient, better listeners, and more forgiving of our errors, making them ideal partners for children learning to read and pronounce.
This Missouri initiative, on the other hand, is brilliant. I can imagine it being extremely beneficial for youngsters who have learning problems or who dislike reading. After all, it’s been said that when youngsters aren’t focused or interested in what they’re learning, it’s because they don’t like how it’s being taught or because it’s not relevant to them. However, combining something “hard” or “boring” (reading) with something “adorable” and “exciting” (animals) can make a huge difference.