Photo provided Students from New Manchester Elementary School visit the Hancock County Animal Shelter as part of the “Rescue Readers” program, where top student readers created enrichment treats, read to dogs, and spent time with shelter animals during a literacy-based educational outreach event.

NEW MANCHESTER — The Hancock County Animal Shelter recently welcomed its first group of “Rescue Readers,” as top student readers from New Manchester Elementary School visited the facility recently for a hands-on educational and enrichment experience benefiting both students and shelter animals.

The visit recognized students who read the highest number of words in their classes during the school year and combined literacy celebration with animal care activities coordinated through the JCHS Foundation.

Brandi DeNoon-Damewood, JCHS Development Manager, worked with Jodi Cole of New Manchester Elementary School to design interactive learning stations for the students during their visit to the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

Shelter volunteers helped guide the groups through a structured itinerary to ensure both students and animals received a meaningful experience.

During the visit, students created enrichment treats for the animals by preparing “busy snacks,” including layered treats on lick mats and Kong toys, along with frozen enrichment items for later use by shelter staff.

Students also participated in a “Read to the Rescues” session, reading aloud to dogs at the shelter before spending time in the kitten room learning about animal care. The visit concluded with playtime in the shelter’s outdoor dog exercise areas.

Shelter officials said the goal of the program is to promote literacy while also providing enrichment for animals awaiting adoption. The shelter offers similar educational outreach programs for students from preschool through college, with lessons tailored to age and curriculum goals.

For more information, contact brandid@jc-hs.org.