Sometimes the quietest kind of volunteering leaves the biggest mark.
An 11-year-old boy in Florida has become the first child in the history of the Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading program to reach 100 volunteer hours after spending more than two years reading books to homeless shelter animals.
For Nehemiah Turner, the time at the shelter is about bringing comfort to dogs waiting for a family to adopt them.
“I hope that they get adopted, and I hope I achieved my goal too,” Nehemiah told ABC News.
The Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading program invites children of all ages to read aloud to shelter animals. The program helps children strengthen their reading skills and creates a calm environment for stressed animals.
“It feels soothing, feels good, calm, comforted animals, not like a whole bunch of barking is happening,” Nehemiah said.
Nehemiah began visiting the shelter with his grandmother more than two years ago and said he quickly formed a connection with the animals. He still remembers the first dog he read to.
“I went up there with my book, and I sat down with this dog named Auggie,” he recalled. “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.”
In June, Nehemiah became the first volunteer in the program’s history to log 100 reading hours. The Jacksonville Humane Society marked the milestone by presenting him with a certificate.
Lawrence Nicolas, CEO of the Jacksonville Humane Society, praised Nehemiah’s commitment.
“One hundred hours read here at the shelter is such an amazing accomplishment over two years. That’s some serious dedication for a young person like Nehemiah,” Nicolas said.
Nicolas said Nehemiah’s story shows how much one act of kindness can matter.
“Nehemiah reminds us that meaningful change often begins with one simple act of kindness. 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.”
Nehemiah is heading into sixth grade as a straight A student, and Nicolas said the program’s benefits extend to children as well as animals.
“This is a place where we can put the tablet and the electronics down, pick up a good old fashioned book, and read to somebody who really wants to hear your voice. How can you beat that?” he said.
Nehemiah said he is already aiming past 100 hours.
“What’s next? I think we got to set up a new hour. So I think I set up like 110, 150, and 200 hours.”
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