Special Needs Students Read To Rescue Animals In New Camden County Program

Special needs students from the Brookfield Schools are reading books to rescued dogs at the Camden County Animal Shelter as part of a new program announced by the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders this week.

The "Reading to the Rescued" program pairs students ages 10 to 17 years old with timid dogs that are getting acclimated to their new homes and potential adoption from the shelter.

“This program is another innovative way to create a partnership where both the county and the children derive a significant benefit,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the animal shelter, said. “The students get to improve their reading skills, while the animals get the attention and companionship they desire.”

The program was founded on the idea that reading to non-judgmental animals would increase students’ confidence and willingness to read out loud.

It also gives students the opportunity make toys for the dogs and cats and participate in a collection drive to help with shelter supplies.

“The program has enabled the students at the high school level to work cooperatively with the elementary students, improving their reading skills,” Sherry Ciarrocca, Reading to the Rescued Program Supervisor from Brookfield Schools, said. “This experience is also teaching them the value of community service and the importance of volunteering with animals in the community.”

Brookfield Schools serve students ages 5 through 21 with special needs with comprehensive programs in three settings over three campuses in Camden County.

The specialized and wide-ranging programming on those campuses give students the ability to become productive members of society.

"The partnership has afforded both our academy and elementary students a means to increase their skills by reading to theses non-judgmental, unconditional loving dogs,” Brookfield Academy Principal Patrick Kiernan said. “These cuddly canines have found themselves with a new purpose of assisting this process in an unconventional and innovative way."

The attached images were provided by Camden County officials