(Sylvie Belmond | CLAIR – Simi Valley, CA) — Imagine a quiet moment at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter. A child sits outside a kennel, book in hand, reading softly. Inside, a dog listens, tail wagging, enjoying the company. This is Rescue Readers, a special program where children aged 4 to 14 read to shelter animals, providing comfort and socialization to the animals while enhancing their own reading confidence.
“The dogs, specifically the dogs, they love the kids’ voices,” said Judi Balisciano, founder of VCAS Rescue Readers, in a heartwarming video about the program. “It’s almost mesmerizing how the kids and the dogs react to each other.”
This simple yet powerful program runs on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 12:00 to 12:50 pm at the Simi Valley Animal Shelter, located at 670 W. Los Angeles Ave. Each session accommodates up to 10 children. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite book and a blanket or chair, settling in for a peaceful reading session with a furry friend.
The Rescue Readers program is also offered at the Camarillo Shelter, giving even more young readers the opportunity to build confidence while comforting shelter animals. The photos accompanying this story were taken at the Camarillo location, where participants enjoy cozy reading spaces and meaningful connections with adoptable pets.
Reading aloud can be intimidating for children, but the animals don’t mind if they stumble over a word or read slowly. “This is an environment where the parents can sit with their kids and help them learn to read,” said Balisciano. It’s a stress-free way to practice reading while spending time with an animal who loves the sound of their voice.
Dogs may bark, and there might be a few “stinky” moments, but that’s part of shelter life. More than just a fun activity, Rescue Readers helps animals become more adoptable by providing them with positive social interactions. “It’s a win-win proposition for everybody. It makes the dogs… all the pets adoptable, and the kids get to read,” Balisciano said.
The program boosts children’s reading confidence in a relaxed setting, provides shelter animals with comfort and socialization, and teaches children empathy and kindness toward animals. Middle school students can earn service awards and volunteer hours, making it a meaningful way to give back to the community. It also creates a fun, screen-free activity that brings families together.
Parents can take pictures and share them on social media, helping these pets get noticed for adoption. Tag @VCAnimalServices or @VCASrescuereaders to spread the word.
How to Join
To sign up, email [email protected] with your child’s name and session preference. If you can’t make it, please inform them so another child can take the spot.
A Special Bond
Every child who participates in Rescue Readers receives a free official Rescue Readers T-shirt, a fun way to show their love for animals.
If you want to see the magic for yourself, check out the video created by Ventura County Animal Services at vcas.us/rescuereaders.
For more information, visit the official Rescue Readers page.
This story was updated on March 21 to reflect that the Rescue Readers program is also offered at the Camarillo Shelter.
