Young Readers And Shelter Animals Bond As Bedtime Book Buddies

Reading aloud can help children build confidence, and at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Anne Arundel County, some furry and feathered friends are more than happy to listen.

Through the SPCA’s Bedtime Book Buddies program, children ages 5-10 can practice their reading skills while spending time with adoptable animals at PAWS at the Mall in the Annapolis Mall. The program offers a welcoming environment for young readers while helping socialize and calm animals awaiting their forever homes.

For Severna Park resident Jen Dopkowski, who has volunteered with the SPCA for four years, the program has made a difference for her 9-year-old son, Zachary.

“Reading to the animals really helped him learn to read and feel more confident reading – and it also taught him to be kind to animals,” Dopkowski said.

The experience was equally rewarding for Arnold resident Leanne Bulla and her 9-year-old son, Jack, who recently attended their first Bedtime Book Buddies session.

Bulla appreciated the program’s structure and the opportunity it provided to strengthen Jack’s confidence in reading.” ”It gives him additional opportunities to read aloud, more so than just to us,” she said.

Each session begins with an opportunity for children and their accompanying adults to visit the animals before gathering for a short story read by a librarian from Discoveries: The Library at the Mall. Afterward, children can select a book provided through the program or bring a favorite from home to read aloud to the animals. Crafts and other activities are available for children who want a break from reading.

The program is one of several educational and outreach initiatives offered by the SPCA to connect community members with animals and encourage compassion and responsible pet care.

Brandy McGehee and her two sons have volunteered with the SPCA for two years through its adult-teen volunteer program, which allows children ages 13-17 to volunteer alongside a trained adult.

“It gives my kids a great opportunity to come out of their shells. Bedtime Book Buddies is such a great program,” McGehee said.

She particularly enjoys seeing how the animals respond to their young visitors.

“It’s so cute to watch the animals calm down,” she said. “I’m excited school is back so that we’re able to do the program and get kids back in here.”

Paws at the Mall houses adoptable cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, birds and other small animals, giving families an opportunity to connect with a variety of potential pets.

Bedtime Book Buddies is free, but advance registration is required, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The monthly event is held at PAWS at the Mall, located between SlimeCo. and Curmudgeon Books in the Annapolis Mall.

For more information about the program, upcoming sessions or SPCA volunteer opportunities, visit www.aacspca.org/education-outreach.