Regina Humane Society program has people reading to dogs

The calm voice relaxes dogs and helps them prepare to be adopted

The Regina Humane Society has started a new program to help dogs prepare for down time at home when they are adopted. The program called Read and Relax has nothing to do with playing with the pets, but is exactly as the name suggests.

According to their website, volunteers are encouraged to bring in a favourite book and read to the animals in need of some love.

"In addition to providing much needed companionship to pets waiting to be adopted by their forever families, reading creates a calm environment for animals," reads the website. "Sitting quietly with animals helps prepare animals for 'downtime' after they're adopted. It helps reinforce good manners, and that helps ensure their new home will be a successful one."

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The reading out loud especially helps fearful dogs as they benefit from a soft, soothing voice. It helps other dogs because they learn to be in the presence of a human without being the center of attention.

"It's a great way to have dogs spend some down time with people," said Teresa Sabourin, a volunteer co-ordinator of the Regina Humane Society, to CBC.

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Sometimes the volunteers read out loud and sometimes they just read to themselves. But it isn't just dogs that enjoy being read to, since volunteers can also read with cats.

(CBC photo)