![Afterschool Program Gives Kids the Chance to Read to Shelter Animals](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2013/06/Dog1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Afterschool Program Gives Kids the Chance to Read to Shelter Animals
Reading is great for kids. Reading to animals is great for everyone.
The Keystone to Discovery After School Program in Hamilton, Montana enables kids to read to animals in a shelter one day a week at the Bitter Root Humane Association.
Keystone director Ria Overholt says it's a win-win:
It is relaxing to the dogs to hear those calm and steady voices....Dogs are a totally non-judgmental audience to read to. We've found that it does help [kids] build their reading skills and they have fun doing it."
7th grade student Grace Kravik echoes that sentiment, adding, "I love being around these dogs. I always get a good feeling from it because I know this will help them. It's also really helped me with my reading."
The shelter's manager says it's a positive experience for kids because they see up-close how the animals react and that they "have feelings too." Check out some more photos below and visit Bitter Root's Facebook page for more info.
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