Instead of being on the receiving end of holiday reading, several children in Geauga County stepped into the role of storyteller this year. Their audience — several four-legged, furry canines.
Instead of being on the receiving end of holiday reading, several children in Geauga County stepped into the role of storyteller this year. Their audience — several four-legged, furry canines.
On Dec. 12, the Geauga County Humane Society’s Rescue Village hosted “Deck the Howls,” a nationwide event the Humane Society of Missouri initiated in 2015.
Including the program at Rescue Village is something Pam Kerr — who organizes the reading program for the humane society with her husband, Dick — could not be more thrilled about.
“The reading program helps to acclimate the animals to human interaction,” she said. “And it teaches children empathy for the lost and scared animals.”
Now in its second year, Rescue Village’s reading program boasts a roster of 200 children ages 6 and up from all around Geauga County who come to read to the shelter animals, Kerr said.
However large that number might seem, Kerr says there’s room in the reading program for any child interested in volunteering.
“Humanity is enormous. It’s in all of us,” she said, adding she is moved every day as she witnesses Rescue Village staff members and volunteers work together to help the abandoned animals that come to the shelter.
With the inclusion of “Deck the Howls,” Kerr is seeking to strengthen those bonds.
“I hope it brings more children in to experience the joy in learning to volunteer,” she said.
Lisa Ishee, volunteer coordinator, agreed, adding last Wednesday night was all about “Celebrating the spirit of giving.”
Rescue Village, which operates primarily on donations, used the celebration as a way to give back to its supporters
Inside, children read to dogs that were happy to have later-than-usual company. One of them, Maggie, a large-breed mix who was recently transported from Atlanta, Ga., was also visibly pregnant.
Rescue Village, which arranged foster care for her during her pregnancy, will provide for her and her puppies until their adoption, said Karen Davis, who has been fostering dogs since 2002.
Volunteers manned tables where other children made crafts or decorated dog treats for their new shelter friends. When they finished, there was a dessert table complete with hot cocoa to reward a job well done.
Also in attendance were Rescue Village’s certified therapy dog ambassadors, ready to snuggle at the photo booth.
Another program the shelter runs with the goal of building community, each therapy dog is certified through University Hospitals.
As the night wore down, dogs and children alike showed signs of being ready for bed — all the shelter animals seemingly content with their evening of attention.
In an effort to help more animals find their homes by Christmas, Rescue Village is also launching their first Santa Paws Express.
From Dec. 20-23, any animal adopted will be delivered to their new owner’s door on Christmas Eve. Your new pet arrives complete with toys and food, delivered by volunteers dressed in holiday attire.
Leah Backo, public relations coordinator for Rescue Village, hopes to make this program a regular holiday offering.
While the delivery is a $100 fee, dogs over 30 pounds and all cats have had their adoption fees lowered to $30 through Dec. 23 through the Holiday Heroes program, which makes the Christmas delivery comparable to the standard adoption fees, according to Rescue Village.
