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Reading Program
Hayward Animal Shelter’s Reading Program allows individuals of all ages to come into the shelter and read to the adoptable animals during public hours. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Benefits to the readers:
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Reading to animals increases reading proficiency, while also helping children feel safer, happier, and more self- confident reading out loud!
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Children that read aloud to dogs for only 10 –15 Minutes per week experienced a 12% increase in reading proficiency. Furthermore, students who took part in a reading program with animals for 13 months increased their reading proficiency by at least 2 grade levels.
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It’s not just for children- reading to animals brings joy and relaxation to shelter visitors of all ages.
Benefits to the animals:
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Being read to helps shy and fearful animals become more comfortable with people, because there is no forced interaction.
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While music has been shown to have a calming effect on shelter dogs, studies show that hearing audiobooks or being read to aloud is even more relaxing than music!​
Sources: the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
Program Goals​
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Help readers increase their reading confidence and proficiency.
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Encourage empathy and compassion in children.
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Help comfort shy, fearful animals and ease their anxiety.
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Help shelter animals get adopted more quickly.
​Get Started
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Come into the shelter any time during public hours with a book, or pick one from our collection
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Sign-in at the front desk (First time readers go over rules and fill out a waiver)
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Bring a blanket or something to sit on while you read!
Considerations
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Reading sessions start at 15 minute intervals.
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If an animal you are reading to has an adoption interest, you may be asked to pick another animal to read to.
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Animals are in kennels and will not be loose during reading sessions.
Reading is Rewarding
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Children who participate in the program receive a bookmark upon completion of their first reading session, and earn stickers for each additional reading session!
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"Shelter Super Readers" who fill up their book mark will earn a special surprise.
