If you're looking for a fun summer activity for the whole family and you happen to like dogs and cats, the Dutchess County SPCA needs a little help.

As part of the Dutchess Read initiative, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced a new program which will bring children, books and animals together. The program encourages children to bring their favorite book to the DCSPCA and read to the sheltered dogs and cats.

In a press release Executive Molinaro said, “Research shows when a child takes time to read to shelter animals, both the child’s reading proficiency and the animal’s socialization increase, making the child a better reader and the animal more suitable for adoption. Our ‘Dutchess Reads’ initiative strives to build stronger readers in our community, and this partnership with the Dutchess County SCPA is a great step toward helping us reach that goal."

Reading volunteers are asked to come to the Dutchess County SPCA located at  636 Violet Avenue in Hyde Park on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the Dutchess Reads program, visit their website.

 

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