Cottonwood AZ (July 27, 2019) – On Wednesday, July 31st the Verde Valley Humane Society will host kids and counselors from the City of Cottonwood Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camp. Beginning at 10:00 am, approximately thirty children, ranging in age from 5 to 12, will take turns reading to dogs in the courtyard, playing with cats in the cat room, visiting with oodles of kittens, coloring humane education sheets, and making and distributing peanut-butter stuff Kong treats for the dogs.
Studies have shown that children who read aloud to pets demonstrate improved reading ability and attitudes toward reading, and that reading to pets helps to bring comfort to shelter pets and reduce their anxiety. It’s a win-win.
According to VVHS Executive Director Tacy Pastor, “The kids empathize with the animals, the animals become more adoptable, and really, everyone wins. Our staff and volunteers love the program, and we all look forward to having the kids here.”
