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Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Read to a shelter dog: Humane Society’s reading program open to elementary school students

The Humane Society of Marion County is inviting all children who are in elementary school to participate in its reading program.

During each session of the DogGone Good Reading Program, children will read to the dogs while their parent or guardian waits in a separate area of the shelter. According to HSMC, children do better when they are reading to a non-judgmental dog with no outside criticism.

Humane Society of Marion County inviting children to read to shelter dogs
A child reading to a dog during a DogGone Good Reading session at the shelter (Photo: Humane Society of Marion County)

The reading program is held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on select Saturdays throughout the year at the Humane Society of Marion County, which is located at 701 NW 14th Road in Ocala.

The next DogGone Good Reading sessions will take place this Saturday, May 6. Limited spots are still available for the 11 a.m. session, and the afternoon session is full.

Registration is also open for the DogGone Good Reading event on Saturday, June 3, and up to a dozen children can sign up for the 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. sessions. If these time slots fill up, parents and guardians can sign up their children for the waiting list, and they will be notified by phone if any participants cancel.

Humane Society of Marion County inviting children to read to shelter dogs
A child showing a book to one of the shelter dogs during a DogGone Good Reading session (Photo: Humane Society of Marion County)

There is a maximum of 12 children per session, and all participating children must register in advance. A staff member from HSMC will call to confirm participation the week before the selected date.

For more information, or to register for the program, visit the Humane Society of Marion County’s Doggone Good Reading Program webpage.