{"id":12723,"date":"2024-10-23T13:44:29","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T17:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=12723"},"modified":"2024-10-23T13:52:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T17:52:47","slug":"shelter-animals-lend-listening-ears-to-young-readers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/shelter-animals-lend-listening-ears-to-young-readers\/","title":{"rendered":"Shelter animals lend listening ears to young readers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Third grader Zander Barton with VBSPCA volunteer Angelina Foca<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Third grader Zander Barton read the book, \u201cI Will Take a Nap,\u201d one recent morning inside the library at Rosemont Elementary School. Some of the words were harder than others, but Zander took this is in stride.<\/p>\n

It also didn\u2019t bother Christian, a 6-month-old husky mix who accompanies student readers as part of the Listening Ears program\u00a0 by the Virginia \u00a0Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Third grader Ah\u2019layna Woodhouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Animals<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to read to the dog,\u201d said Zander, who said at home he has a German shepherd named Hank.<\/p>\n

Animals from the VBSPCA are visiting third graders at nine elementary schools this fall as part of the program. At Rosemont Elementary, the students take turns spending 15 minutes with Christian, who loves his chew toys just as much as listening to children read.<\/p>\n

Students are excited when they\u2019re called into the library to spend time with the dog, said Jeannette Reynolds, the school\u2019s library media specialist. They enjoy how Christian simply listens to them and doesn\u2019t cast judgment.<\/p>\n

Third grader Ah\u2019layna Woodhouse said she picked \u201cClifford the Red Dog,\u201d because it seemed a good fit for a reading session with man\u2019s best friend.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Third grader Keith Stewart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keith Stewart, who read \u201cMouse Loves Fall\u201d with Christian, said he has a Pomeranian\u00a0 at home.<\/p>\n

“I enjoy seeing other dogs,\u201d Keith said.<\/p>\n

Abraham Garcia Mendoza paused between books to toss Christian a toy.<\/p>\n

And Cairo Weathers, who has a dog named Winn-Dixie at home, read the \u201cLittle Shop of Monsters\u201d to Christian.<\/p>\n

Bayside High graduate Angelina Foca volunteers for the VBSPCA and sits with each student as they read with Christian, who is up for adoption. Foca said she enjoys helping students and the shelter animals when she\u2019s not taking nursing classes at Old Dominion University.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Third grader Cairo Weathers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Parents sign permission slips opting their children into the program. The animal ambassadors haven been vaccinated and are well-behaved around children.<\/p>\n

Assistant Principal Taylor Loudermilk said she\u2019s proud to welcome the VBSPCA\u2019s Listening Ears to Rosemont Elementary.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis incredible initiative not only nurtures a love of reading but also fosters compassion and empathy in our students,\u201d she said. \u201cBy pairing children with animal ambassadors, we are creating a supportive, calming environment where learning thrives and hearts grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visit <\/em>VBSPCA\u2019s website<\/em><\/a> for more information about school programs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Third grader Abraham Garcia Mendoza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cairo Weathers with VBSPCA animal ambassador Kai earlier in the school year (photo by Leslie Elfelt)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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