GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Pitt County Animal Services says the 2024 Shelter Buddies Reading Program will start Monday.

The program, at their facility in Greenville, is designed to bring comfort to and reduce the anxiety of shelter pets while nurturing empathy in children.

Pitt County students and children’s groups ages 6-15 are invited to join the reading fun on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. To 3:30 p.m. at the animal shelter.

The 2024 program will run today through August 16, 2024.

Children who read for 5 hours will receive a special shelter buddy t-shirt.