The shelter is as always, busy! So many dogs and puppies are coming in and it’s a constant battle to keep up.
The noise level is high from barking, kennel doors closing, metal food bowls clanging, and the constant cleaning.
Recently, at one of our Dog Ears sessions we had one of those “goosebump moments.” Dog Ears is a reading program that we offer once a month to young people who want to read to a shelter dog.
Our last session was with the Gloverville Elementary Beta Club. These students hold a donation drive every year for the shelter. We go to the school to meet the kids and thank them. This is always followed by the group visiting the shelter to read to the dogs.
This particular Saturday was extremely loud and the dogs were very excitable. In all honesty, I was really worried that it was going to be too overwhelming for the students.
Within minutes of the students sitting down and reading, the most amazing thing happened. The kennels went completely quiet. The dogs began laying down, looking at the children and by the time the session was over, almost all were fast asleep. I think all the leaders had tears in our eyes, it was the most special experience.
Watching the peace that came over these poor dogs trapped in kennels, homeless, tired and stressed, was really emotional. These kids gave the dogs a gift. The gift of love and attention.
The shelter has many programs that can give dogs this type of peace.
Each month, FOTAS hosts Dog Ears Reading events. Please email us if your child would like to read to the pets. It is a quick half-hour reading session followed by hands on time and a short lesson about the shelter. Our next session is Saturday, June 15. Space is limited, so please email to reserve your spot (info@fotasaiken.org).
We also offer Doggy Days Out. This can be as simple as calling the shelter and taking a dog to the park for an hour or downtown for an afternoon. Watching a shelter dog decompress in the backseat of your car is pretty rewarding. It’s like a vacation for them to go for a car ride and see/smell new things. When they return, they are happier, more relaxed and more adoptable.
If you would like to come and spend time with pets at the shelter, all you have to do is email us and we will set you up with a training session so you can come and go as you please.
It doesn’t take a lot of time to help a homeless pet. Even just an hour of one-on-one time can be life changing for a shelter dog or cat. If you have no free time and you want to help, please share our posts on Facebook and Instagram. The majority of our adoptions come from social media. All you have to do is share.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator
