Sean’s story is similar to those of many other children who have participated in Book Buddies. The program has grown within the community and is taken advantage of by home-schooled children, Brownie Troops, parents who want to expose their children to animals, parents of autistic children and many more.

Children in grades 1-8 who are able to read at any level are invited to the shelter to read to the cats in the adoption room. The program will help children improve their reading skills while also helping the shelter animals by providing socialization and human interaction. Cats find the rhythmic sound of a voice very comforting and soothing.

According to studies performed by researchers at Tufts University…

• “Pets can be considered a source of support.”

• “Human-animal interaction can make the learning process more comfortable and enjoyable for children.”

• “Autistic children who were put in contact with an animal, demonstrated increased use of language and had improved social interactions while with the animal.” They showed “sustained focus and maintained a higher state of awareness, as well as improved attitudes toward school.”

• Animals can be a “non-evaluative presence that can provide support and comfort to participants without judging them.”

Children can complete “book tickets” while participating in the program. Each ticket requires the child to complete five books (length does not matter). After each ticket is completed, they can begin a new one. The completed ticket can then be saved and turned in for a prize (there will be different prize levels), or they can enter a monthly drawing which will be displayed at the front desk. The choice is theirs.