Rescue Readers

Rescue Readers Welcomed its 970^th Student

Belleville – On Thursday, June 12^th, the Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward welcomed its 970^th student as part of the 2024-25 school year. Since November 7, 2024, the HSHPE Rescue Readers Program has hosted students from 26 schools across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.

Rescue Readers is a program where classes of elementary school children visit the Humane Society, learn about what is involved in caring for a pet, and then read to the animals.

This program is a collaborative effort involving the Humane Society, the Rotary Clubs of Belleville and Trenton, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation. Rescue Readers has enabled HEPDSB students to learn about the services provided by the Humane Society while reading out loud to animals in care.

“We’re pleased to partner with Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward and the Rotary Clubs of Belleville and Trenton to offer the Rescue Readers program. Schools throughout our district have taken part in this opportunity. By participating in the Rescue Readers program, students engaged in literacy activities and learned about the important services provided in our community by Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward,” said Stefanie Cranshaw, HEPDSB Curriculum Services Coordinator.

“The Humane Society is delighted by the overwhelming response to the Rescue Recue Program from schools across Hastings and Prince Edward.” commented Kristi Ballenthin, HSHPE Volunteer & Program Supervisor. “It is a unique program that benefits the students and the animals. We are extremely proud, thanks to our partners, to welcome the students, teachers, and parents from across both counties to their animal shelter. In addition, several animals from HSHPE have been adopted by families of students who attended the shelter while participating in the Rescue Readers Program.”

This program truly benefits both ends of the leash. It also fits perfectly with the mandate of the Rotary Clubs to promote literacy around the world. Rotary immediately recognized Rescue Readers as an instrument to encourage our youth to read out loud to a non-judgmental but appreciative audience. “Rotary is very excited to be a partner in this innovative program that teaches students about animal welfare and creates an opportunity, in a fun environment, for them to practice their reading skills.” added Rotarian Sharon McConnell.

With the support of The HPE Learning Foundation, schools from across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties attended the program during 2024-25 school year. It included students from Bancroft, Wellington, Trenton, Madoc, Tweed, Belleville, Tyendinaga, Sophiasburg and Frankford to name just a few.

With the renewed support of its partners, the Humane Society looks forward to welcoming new participating schools and students during the Rescue Readers 2025-26 School Year.