Animals like bedtime stories, too

Kids can practice their reading skills while providing a comforting voice for animals, thanks to the Reading Tails program at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Fairfax.

Participants first take a tour of the Animal Shelter, then children can choose which animal they want to read to – a dog, cat, guinea pig, snake, or whatever attracts their interest. By the time they start reading, the shelter is closed for other public uses.  

After a hiatus during the Covid pandemic, Reading Tails began operating again on July 20. Due to administrative issues, new registrations won’t be accepted until early fall, said Katherine Zenzano, humane education coordinator at the shelter.

Reading Tails is available by registration on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. for groups of five or more and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. for individual families. When registration reopens, people will be able to sign up online.

Most participants are ages 7 to 11. Zenzano recommends the program for children age 5 and up, although younger siblings can participate, too.

She encourages children to bring their own books, although the shelter has extra books on hand, as well as towels to sit on and flashlights. The kids read for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Volunteers monitor the kids “to make sure they’re not poking their little fingers through the cages” and to see if any of the animals might not appreciate storytime.  

Studies have found children who read to animals improve their reading skills, Zenzano says. “They become more excited about reading. And when they read to animals in a shelter, they’re in an environment where they don’t feel shy or embarrassed, and they feel comfortable reading aloud.”

“They understand it’s not about petting the dogs and cats. It’s about being there as a companion for the animal’s comfort,” she says. “They learn to appreciate the companionship and closeness with an animal without having to put their hands on an animal.”

In one recent Reading Tails session, a girl asked a dog to choose which of two books she should read.

For the animals, Zenzano says, “it’s a nice calming thing for them to experience.”