An 11-year-old boy who once cried leaving a shelter dog behind has become the first child to read 100 hours to animals at a Florida animal shelter.
Nehemiah Turner started volunteering with the Jacksonville Humane Society’s “Pawsitive Reading” program two years ago, reading aloud to shelter dogs and cats so they have a calm human voice to listen to while they wait to be adopted. In June, he became the first of more than 2,000 kids in the program to reach 100 hours.
And he still remembers his first dog.
“I went up there with my book, and I sat down with this dog named Auggie,” Nehemiah told ABC News. “I started to read to him, and after we had to leave, I started to cry, because I didn’t want to leave the humane society.”
One dog in particular kept Nehemiah coming back. Hopper had been waiting for a home for almost 400 days, and Nehemiah read to him on nearly every visit, according to The Cool Down. After months of sessions together, Hopper was adopted.
By June, Nehemiah had logged more than 100 hours – a milestone no other child in the program had reached. The Jacksonville Humane Society gave him a certificate to mark it – and online he’s been praised for his thoughtful volunteering.
“It makes me feel great – proud and great,” Nehemiah said.
Jacksonville Humane Society CEO Lawrence Nicolas said Nehemiah’s hours add up to more than just company for anxious shelter animals.
“He reminds us that meaningful change often begins with one simple act of kindness,” Nicolas told ABC News. “By dedicating his time to reading with animals here at the shelter, he has not only helped homeless pets but also inspired those around him to see the difference one person can make.”
“I hope that they get adopted, and I hope I achieved my goal too,” Nehemiah said.
