Phoenix animal shelter develops reading program for dogs and cats

We’ve all heard that it’s important to read to your baby for his or her development, but could it help your dog or cat be a calmer, happier pet?

The Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is using reading as a tool to help animals in their shelter become happier, more socialized pets.

Volunteers spend time reading to dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the state’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter.

“Reading is an important socialization activity for dogs and cats,” said Whitney Fletcher, director of Volunteers & Special Events at AAWL & SPCA. “It helps fearful dogs and cats become more comfortable with people without forcing interaction.

“As you read out loud, you are focusing on something other than the animal,” she explains. “In turn, the animal grows accustomed to your presence and voice, which is calming.”

It really doesn’t matter what the volunteer reads, she notes, adding that college students volunteering at the shelter often read their text books to the animals. “Dogs and cats find the rhythmic sound of a voice very comforting and soothing.”

AAWL & SPCA volunteers can either bring their own books or borrow one from the shelter’s free Little Library.

The reading program is one of the socialization techniques the organization uses to help dogs and cats become better pets. Other programs include night walks with shelter dogs at local parks and “Doggie Coffee Dates,” in which volunteers take pups with them to local coffee shops each Saturday.

These programs help the dogs learn to interact with strangers and become accustomed to new situations.

For more information about AAWL & SPCA, go to www.aawl.org or call 602-273-6852.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League is located at 25 N. 40th St., Phoenix.

Source: Ahwatukee Foothills News

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A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.