Kids, cats and education

Kids, cats and education

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A little support can go a long way for kids learning to read, whether they get it from teachers, parents, or – in the case of a group of children in Pennsylvania – cats.

An animal shelter in the state runs a programme that allows youngsters to come in and read to cats up for adoption, giving the animals extra company and the young readers the chance to boost their confidence.

. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Kaitlyn Karkoska, Seth Wiggins, and Ethan Wiggins (left to right) are among the dozens of children from grades 1-8 who participate in the “Book Buddies” programme, run by the Animal Rescue League of Berks County in the town of Birdsboro.

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To promote cat adoption, the Animal Rescue League allows cats, such as "Brad Pitt," to be named for Academy Award nominees.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

To promote cat adoption, the Animal Rescue League allows cats, such as "Brad Pitt," to be named for Academy Award nominees.

Kaitlyn Karkoska cuddles "Brad Pitt," as she takes part in the “Book Buddies” programme.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Kaitlyn Karkoska cuddles "Brad Pitt," as she takes part in the “Book Buddies” programme.

A sign hangs in an enclosure for cats up for adoption.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

A sign hangs in an enclosure for cats up for adoption.

Volunteer Alex Keefe (background) and employee Michele Karkoska hold cats following a session of the “Book Buddies” programme.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Volunteer Alex Keefe (background) and employee Michele Karkoska hold cats following a session of the “Book Buddies” programme.

Samuel Trego plays with "Stewart”.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Samuel Trego plays with "Stewart”.

Colby Procyk reads to "Nicky," "Zane," and “Kochi," (left to right).
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Colby Procyk reads to "Nicky," "Zane," and “Kochi," (left to right).

Seth and Ethan Wiggins (right) read to "Stewart" and "Tyler.”
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Seth and Ethan Wiggins (right) read to "Stewart" and "Tyler.”

"Zane," a ginger tabby up for adoption, listens to books read by Trey Douglas and Cassandra Kraus.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

"Zane," a ginger tabby up for adoption, listens to books read by Trey Douglas and Cassandra Kraus.

A cat named Stewart looks down at a copy of “The Cat in the Hat.”
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

A cat named Stewart looks down at a copy of “The Cat in the Hat.”

Kaitlyn Karkoska reads to “Jingles”.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Kaitlyn Karkoska reads to “Jingles”.

Walk of Fame stars are arranged in honour of cats up for adoption on the floor at the Animal Rescue League.
. BIRDSBORO, United States. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Walk of Fame stars are arranged in honour of cats up for adoption on the floor at the Animal Rescue League.

"The affection that the children had for the cats was clear and was obviously reciprocated by the animals themselves, who purred as the pages turned."
Mark Makela, Reuters Photographer

It was my editor Chris Helgren who told me about the “Book Buddies” program, where children in the Pennsylvania town of Birdsboro read to cats up for adoption at an animal shelter. The assignment was a gift – unusual, humorous, endearing, with universal appeal.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County has been running this program for six months, and is less than an hour’s drive away from my home, but I had never heard of it. This was a perfect illustration of that hackneyed but apt idiom that great stories are in your backyard, but can be so easily overlooked.

The scheme began in August 2013 after Kristi Rodriguez, an employee of the shelter, brought her son in to read to the cats. He enjoyed the experience so much that he wanted to come back. Now there are about three-dozen students in grades 1-8 who regularly participate.

Widespread interest in this story first grew around a fortnight ago, when a parent posted a photo of her son reading to a cat nestled up beside him. When I went to document the shelter myself, I wanted to capture a complete photo narrative of “Book Buddies”. I hunted for the key shots, especially any comic juxtapositions, and then I tried to make linking images to smooth out the transitions from photo to photo in the final set.

Cats were everywhere! Tabbies mostly, of different sizes, ages, colours, and dispositions. Most enclosures held five or six animals and all of them were friendly, with no hisses or conflict in sight. For me it was surprising, because all of my cats over the years just can’t seem to get along.

According to researchers at Tufts University, the animals can be a reassuring presence, providing support and comfort to the young readers without judging them. Students have showed sustained focus and improved attitudes toward school, the experts said.

The affection that the children had for the cats was clear and was obviously reciprocated by the animals themselves, who purred as the pages turned. The cats interacted with the children in all sorts of ways and assumed different positions as they listened – they were fully engaged by story time. Not surprisingly, I learned that some children have become so attached to the cats that their families have adopted them.

There were plenty of comical moments. The most priceless was when “Stewart,” the oldest tabby at the shelter, perched above a pair of boys reading The Cat in the Hat, as if to give himself the best possible view of Dr. Seuss’s timeless illustrations.

Another moment when I struggled to contain my laughter was when a wide-faced orange tabby stared intently at a picture book entitled Dogs Can’t Read.

I was lucky to capture lots of “all in one” moments, which explained much of the story in a single frame. This is something I always try to find, but don’t manage on every assignment.

Once photos are sent out to clients on the newswire it’s a marvel where they end up. These photos were profiled by the three largest U.S. television networks: ABC (Good Morning America), CBS News, and NBC (The Today Show), as well as The Atlantic, and numerous other international publications.

As a result of this newfound media attention, shelters in other cities have been inspired to start similar programs.

So cuddle up with your cat, or any pet, for that matter, select a favourite book, secure a fireside nook, and assume the role of a read-aloud bibliophile. Your furry friends will thank you for it!