LOWELL, Mass. – Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is sponsoring a collaboration between the Greater Lowell Family YMCA and Lowell Humane Society that offers a summer reading program for children, as well as animals. The program allows children at the YMCA to read aloud to dogs, cats, rabbits and other shelter animals that are awaiting adoption.
The first session of the seven-week Tails 4 Tales program was held on Tuesday, July 9th. Each reading session lasts one hour, and the students choose their own books to read.
“We are very excited to offer this reading program for the young students in our community, as well as the animals at Lowell Humane Society,” said Mark S. Cochran, president and CEO of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “This is a great way to bring two very important community organizations together for a great cause,” he added.
The credit union said many organizations, shelters and libraries across the country have instituted similar programs. Programs such as these help children become more comfortable with reading in a fun and unique way.
“Oftentimes when you see kids in a classroom setting, they get nervous when they get called on to read because they are afraid they will be made fun of, or they are just hesitant because they don’t have the confidence in themselves yet,” said Erin Hebert, Program Director and Summer Reading Program Coordinator at the Greater Lowell Family YMCA. “When reading to animals, there’s no judgement, so it gives the children the ability to build confidence in their reading while giving companionship to the animals,” she added.
The participants read to the animals before the shelter opens to the public. Arnott explains that giving pets this time for calm human interaction before the shelter gets busy helps keep the animals relaxed when potential adopters visit. Animals are able to better present themselves to ultimately be placed in forever homes.
At right, from left: Tom Hamp, Chamber Ambassador; Marilyn Plummer, Office of Lansing Mayor Andy Schor; LAFCU representatives Spyke, Belinda Hodge, Sabrina Todd, Smith, Angie Ruzinsky, Robert Zimmerman, Harold Foster, Mel Place, Thomas Martinson, Paulette Warren, Ambera Bedard and Merritta Proctor; and Ashley Pearson, Chamber Ambassador.