11-Year-Old Reads 100 Hours to Shelter Animals
Nehemiah Turner, an 11-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, became the first child to complete 100 volunteer hours in the Jacksonville Humane Society's Pawsitive Reading program in June 2026. The program invites young readers to read aloud to shelter dogs and cats, helping reduce animal stress while improving children's literacy skills. Turner joined in 2024 with his grandmother and formed a special bond with a dog named Hopper, who spent nearly 400 days at the shelter before being adopted. Over 2,000 children have participated in the program. The humane society celebrated Turner's milestone with a certificate. Turner hopes his reading helps animals feel calmer and find forever homes.
Key facts
- Nehemiah Turner is 11 years old.
- He completed 100 volunteer hours in June 2026.
- He was the first child in the Pawsitive Reading program to reach that milestone.
- The program is run by the Jacksonville Humane Society.
- Turner joined the program in 2024 with his grandmother.
- He read to a dog named Hopper, who was adopted after nearly 400 days.
- Over 2,000 children have participated in the program.
- The humane society gave Turner a certificate for his achievement.
Entities
Institutions
- Jacksonville Humane Society
Locations
- Jacksonville
- Florida
- United States