Seniors from Brookfield’s Visiting Angels got the opportunity to participate in the Shelter Buddies Reading Program at Newtown’s Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care and Control Center on August 9.

Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services aids residents of Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties with companion, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and palliative care.

The Shelter Buddies Reading Program originally was created to help children practice their reading skills, but for seniors, doing so helps improve their memory and reduces stress.

Tracy Brady, Visiting Angels’ business development and community relations executive director, says the program also helps gives seniors a sense of purpose.

The group brought a variety of homemade and store-bought treats to give to the dogs at the shelter and were first introduced to adoptable dog Jasmine. The 11-year-old Mountain Cur, who was owner surrendered, greeted senior Pearl Bockisch in the lobby of the shelter with a “smile” and wagging tail. Later on in the afternoon, Ms Bockisch chose to read to Jasmine first and enjoyed sitting with her.

Ms Bockisch also got to know adoptable cat Donny, who happily welcomed her pets along his back in the cat room of the shelter.

Kennel attendant Amy Sullivan said Donny is “a middle-aged cat who acts like a dog and purrs like a lion.”

Seniors Jim and Irma Rose Dunn also visited the animal shelter with Visiting Angels and read to adoptable dog Apollo.

Apollo, who is a 3- to 5-year-old Labrador mix, listened contentedly to Mrs Dunn read to him and laid down in his cage, gazing up at the couple.

For those interested in learning more about the Shelter Buddies Reading Program or who are interested in adopting an animal from the Newtown Animal Control, call 203-426-6900.