Wags & Tales Reading Program
Wags & Tales Reading Program

Thank you to our sponsor

The Wags & Tales Reading Program is a mutually beneficial experience designed to help shy or anxious animals in our shelter feel more comfortable around people by having children read to them. This program helps foster compassion and empathy, while providing a supportive environment to help children develop their reading skills. Calmer animals are happier animals, and we want to ensure they receive the best care possible in our shelter with the help of our community. Participants sit within designated cat area’s or outside of a dog’s kennel and read to them.

Who can benefit from the Wags & Tales Reading Program?

  • Children who strive to improve their reading skills
  • Children wanting to spend time helping animals
  • Children who are participating in school or extracurricular activities such as Boy or Girl Scouts

FAQ

Who can participate?

Anyone 6 years or older, can participate in the program. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their entire visit. Readings are limited to 2 children at a time to ensure a calming atmosphere.

When can we read to the animals?

The Wags & Tales Reading Program runs during the school year (September – May) with hours, Monday – Friday from 10 AM-6 PM. – On Wednesday’s reading hours end at 5pm.

Throughout the summer, HSSW holds pop-up reading days once a month where participants can sit in our visiting rooms with an animal and read to them during 30 minute time slots!

Do you have books for us to read there or do we need to bring our own?

We have a small selection of books to choose from here at HSSW, but children are encouraged to bring their own as well! 

We also have a little library located right in front of our building that anyone is welcome to peek in and take a book home with them! This library is placed with love here on our property in memory of Asher and his impact he left on us and those around him.

How much time can we spend reading?

The Wags & Tales Reading Program has 30-minute shifts that you can sign up for if you choose to stop by for a one-time visit! 

Our monthly or yearly membership options allow participants to visit longer than 30 minutes! 

What does it cost to attend the Wags & Tales Reading Program?

The fees for the program are listed below:

Saving Lives Storytime (One time visit) – $5 per visit

To pay for a one-time visit: https://buy.stripe.com/eVaaFad8eeSW9WMfYZ

Rescue Readers (Monthly Membership) – $15 a month

To pay for a monthly membership: https://buy.stripe.com/6oE14Ad8ebGK8SI5km

Bookworm Buddies (Yearly Membership) – $100 for the school year ($35 savings! – Prorated pricing available throughout the year)

To pay for a yearly membership, please contact our Community Outreach Coordinator, Faith at 608-478-4658 or by email at fstephens@petsgohome.org 

How do I get started?

Click the link below to fill out your interest form in the program and our Community Outreach Coordinator will be in contact with you shortly! If you don’t receive an email within a week of submission, please check your spam folder as our responses sometimes fall there. 

 For session availability, please fill out the following google form, and you will receive an email from our Community Outreach Coordinator, Faith shortly after submission.