In this last installment of a three-part series about local animal organizations, residents will learn about Newtown volunteers who choose to help the lives of animals in need at The Newtown Animal Control Center.

The Newtown Animal Control Center, at 21 Old Farm Road, goes above and beyond to help take care of animals in the community. As a no-kill shelter, it gives each animal that comes through the doors a chance to thrive, whether they live out their lives there or get adopted to their forever homes.

At its new facility, which was named in memory of the Newtown veterinarian Brian J. Silverlieb, dogs and cats are taken care of by dedicated staff, including Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason, Assistant Animal Control Officer Matt Schaub, and kennel attendant Amy Sullivan.

Currently, the Newtown Animal Control Center is in the process of restructuring its volunteer program.

The nonprofit organization Canine Advocates of Newtown, which was founded in 1999, will continue to be an active resource for the pound.

Canine Advocates President Virginia Jess explained that her group will give extra support to the shelter and will continue to provide advertising for the animals on its website. Canine Advocates will also remain a source of contact for potential adopters who want more information on the dogs and cats available at the shelter.

 

Shelter Buddies Reading Program

Now that the Newtown Animal Control Center will be handling all elements of volunteering, staff and volunteers are testing a new program called the Shelter Buddies Reading Program, where children read to the rescued dogs outside of their individual kennels. They hope to officially put it into effect for next summer.

The program will be available for children ages 6 to 16 years old who submit an application and attend a training session. In the training, participants will learn shelter etiquette and how to tell if a dog is anxious or stressed. Once these preliminary steps are completed, the volunteer can schedule a day and time to come in with their parent or guardian to read to the animals.

Children can choose to read a book they bring from home or they can select a story from the Animal Control Center's library of animal-related books. Next, volunteers will sit in front of a dog's kennel and read for a 15-minute session. Afterward, they take their book and rotate to the next dog's station.

The ultimate goal of the Shelter Buddies Reading Program is to help the dogs become more adoptable. According to the shelter, when visitors spend time reading to the dogs, it gives the animals a sense of comfort and reduces their anxiety. Another positive effect is that shy dogs can learn to become more relaxed around people and high energy dogs can be taught that calm behavior is desirable.

The program is not only beneficial for the dogs, but it also helps the children involved develop their reading skills and learn more about the lives of animals in a shelter environment.

Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason said, "It's encouraging children to develop empathy with animals. It's a peaceful, quiet exercise ... that helps them better connect with animals and people in their lives."

The Shelter Buddies Reading Program originally started when Newtown resident Debbie DeBlasi was thinking about possible raffle ideas that would be popular for the Middle Gate Elementary School PTA's Silent Action fundraiser. She wanted something that was different than what they usually auctioned and that would encourage the students to get their reading done in a fun way. She had heard about other animal shelters allowing children to read to dogs and was inspired to see if the Newtown Animal Control Shelter would have interest, too.

Ms DeBlasi got in touch with Ms Sullivan, who helped make the idea come to fruition. For the fundraiser, the Middle Gate Elementary School PTA successfully auctioned off four opportunities for students to read at the shelter, with each winning recipient receiving two reading sessions.

On Tuesday, July 26, the Newtown Animal Control Center held a trial session for the Shelter Buddies Reading Program from noon to 1:45 pm.

Ms DeBlasi and her son Nicholas attended the event and were eager to spend time with the animals.

"I love dogs so much!" Nicholas said while sitting on a chair in front of the new dog, Caesar's, kennel. At home, Nicholas and his mother have two dogs of their own, but wish they could rescue every dog that comes into the shelter.

"He wants to adopt all of them," Ms DeBlasi said about her compassionate son.

Ms DeBlasi explained that when they come to volunteer, her son will purposefully read the same chapter to each dog before moving on to the next part. That day, he chose to read a chapter from the National Geographic children's book

Dog Finds Lost Dolphins: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes.

Already Ms DeBlasi has witnessed the positive impact her son has made by reading to the dogs. During the previous week's session, Nicholas began to read to a dog that was barking nonstop. In a matter of minutes, the barking had subsided and the dog had relaxed while listening to Nicholas talk.

"It's good for the dogs. It has been amazing to see their reactions," Ms DeBlasi emphasized. "The kids benefit just as much as the dogs do."

Another volunteer who participated in the Shelter Buddies Reading Program was Emma Wishneski. Emma is no stranger helping animals; last December she asked friends and family to give her donations for the pound instead of holiday presents. Then, earlier this summer, she used the money she received from her birthday to buy treats for the dogs.

Emma read the Scholastic book

Incredible Dogs and Their Incredible Tales by Allen Zullo and Mara Bovsun to the Newtown Animal Control Center's adoptable dog Misty. Misty was excitedly barking before Emma started reading, then after a few pages of being read to, Misty calmed down and laid close to Emma from inside her kennel.

About Adoptable Dog Misty

Misty is a special needs adult Akita who is looking for her forever home. Her write-up at the shelter says she is "beautiful, sweet, gentle, and extremely smart."

Sadly, Misty was surrendered by her owner after getting attacked by a wild animal in her yard and was badly injured.

Her wounds were so extreme she had to have one of her front legs amputated. She then had to be placed in quarantine for six months, because she had not previously received her rabies shot.

During quarantine it was discovered that Misty was pregnant. She had a C-section and gave birth to six healthy puppies that have all been adopted.

Now Misty is spayed, up to date on her shots, and ready to begin her new life with a forever family.

Due to having her leg removed, the Newtown Animal Control Center suggests that, if there are other dogs in the household, she would do best with a small dog or a low energy senior dog.

Misty's petfinder.com profile details, "She's a happy dog with a princess personality who made all the staff fall in love with her… She loves the little perks of life like a soft bed, a stimulating stroll, and someone to spoon with."

Ways to Help

In addition to supporting the Shelter Buddies Reading Program, Ms DeBlasi spoke highly of the staff at the shelter. "What a heart they have. They love every single one of [the animals]," she said. "And I have never been to a cleaner shelter. They do a lot for their animals."

For those unable to volunteer, but that want to help, the Newtown Animal Control Center accepts donations. They can always use items like clean towels and blankets, canned cat food, dog and cat toys, and treats.

To sign up for next summer's Shelter Buddies Reading Program, contact Amy Sullivan via e-mail at amy.sullivan@newtown-ct.gov.

To adopt a dog or cat call the Newtown Animal Control Center at 203-426-6900 or Canine Advocates at 203-426-5327. For all general updates, visit facebook.com/newtownanimalcontrolshelter.